mop-up
the act, process, or an instance of mopping up; completion of an operation or action.
Origin of mop-up
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use mop-up in a sentence
“They believe when this is done they can mop up al Qaeda units,” he said.
Al Qaeda Clash With Free Syrian Army a New Stage of Opposition Split | Eli Lake | September 17, 2013 | THE DAILY BEASTBack at the hospital, an orderly took advantage of a brief break to spray the floor and mop up blood.
As Syria’s Bloody Civil War Rages, Aleppo’s Hospitals Are Under Siege | Toby Muse | October 6, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTThe media has made much of the extravagant mop-up and security arrangements ahead of the meeting.
Summit of the Americas in Cartagena Will Be a Minefield for Obama | Mac Margolis | April 13, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTBeing made to mop up when the bathroom plumbing breaks down at the Edwards house?
I'd mop up this stuff about organization and management mighty quick, for that business stuff comes natural to me.
Children of the Whirlwind | Leroy Scott
"Me mop up all de water," grinned Ching, looking the coolest person aboard the launch.
The Hero of Panama | F. S. BreretonI'll mop up all the blood spilt with a cambric handkerchief.
I got a light, and proceeded to mop up, as best I could, and then endeavoured to find a dry place to sleep in.
A Voyage in the 'Sunbeam' | Annie Allnut Brassey"Congratulations on the mop-up, which I understand was one hundred point oh oh oh percent," the officer said.
Man of Many Minds | E. Everett Evans
British Dictionary definitions for mop up
to clean with a mop
informal to complete (a task, etc)
military to clear (remaining enemy forces) after a battle, as by killing, taking prisoner, etc
the act or an instance of mopping up
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with mop-up
Clear an area of remaining enemy troops after a victory, as in They left behind just one squadron to mop up. [c. 1900]
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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