mop-up

American  

[mop-uhp] / ˈmɒpˌʌp /

noun

1. the act, process, or an instance of mopping up; completion of an operation or action.

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mop up British  

verb

1. to clean with a mop

2. informal to complete (a task, etc)

3. military to clear (remaining enemy forces) after a battle, as by killing, taking prisoner, etc

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noun

1. the act or an instance of mopping up

mop up Idioms  

1. Clear an area of remaining enemy troops after a victory, as in They left behind just one squadron to mop up . [c. 1900]

2. Perform the minor tasks that conclude a project or activity, as in Go ahead, I'll mop up these last invoices . [First half of 1900s] Both usages transfer the task of housecleaning with a mop to other kinds of cleanup.

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Etymology

Origin of mop-up

First recorded in 1895–1900; noun use of verb phrase mop up

Example Sentences

A firefighter picking up hoses on Jan. 2 found crackling, red-hot coals in the dirt and warned colleagues that a more thorough mop-up was needed.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2026

Moore also described his efforts to look into missteps made during the mop-up of the Lachman fire, which rekindled days later into the devastating Palisades fire.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 13, 2026

More than a year after the Palisades fire, the public has yet to hear directly from firefighters about their mop-up of the Lachman fire.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 13, 2026

A former L.A. fire chief who asked not to be identified so he could speak candidly said firefighters had other options for mop-up.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 27, 2025

And a mop-up squad patrolled outward from the reclaimed camp, picked up two living Throgs, both wandering witlessly.

From Storm Over Warlock by Norton, Andre

Related Words

• accomplish
• achieve
• clinch
• close
• complete
• conclude
• do
• end
• make
• play out
• settle
• stop
• wind up
• wrap up