pick up after (someone)

phrase

: to clean the mess created by (someone)

You have to pick up after yourself if you make a mess.

His mother still picks up after him.

Examples of pick up after (someone) in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Premier League is about to pick up after both Arsenal and City were entangled in the diversions of domestic and European cup competitions since the last round of title punches were thrown just over a week ago. — Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 14 Mar. 2026

There is no state law that says dog owners must pick up after their animals, according to reporting from the Detroit Free Press. — Jalen Williams, Freep.com, 27 Feb. 2026

Season three will pick up after events of the second season finale, where Jimmy (Jason Segel) saved the life of Louis (Brett Goldstein), the man who killed Jimmy’s wife in a drunk driving accident. — Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 27 Jan. 2026

In Boston, the bulk of the weather will pick up after noon Sunday, with 8- to 14-mph winds and gusts up to 26 mph that night, the weather service said. — Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 25 Jan. 2026