tidy
adjective
neat, orderly, or trim, as in appearance or dress.
had been tidying
-
past perfect progressiveof tidy.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Yes, I am Tom Barnes,” said the young wireless operator of station Z. Tom was in the old windmill tower, and had been tidying up generally.
From The Boys of the Wireless by Frank V. Webster
It had been tidying up a monkey and was going home a bit stupid and sleepy.
From The Judge by Rebecca West
She had been tidying up his writing-table, going over all his papers with a feather brush, and she had come on the manuscript of the Ramblings unfinished.
From Mr. Waddington of Wyck by May Sinclair
Mrs. Boyce, who had been tidying a table of food and medicine, came and asked him if he would be wheeled into another room across the gallery, which had been arranged as a sitting-room.
From Marcella by Mrs. Humphry Ward
She washed her hands after pouring out the paraffin, and came into the sitting-room, Pamela, who had been tidying herself upstairs, entering at the same moment.
From For the School Colours by Angela Brazil
