mopping-up

American  

[mop-ing-uhp] / ˈmɒp ɪŋˈʌp /

adjective

1. serving to complete or put the finishing touches to a phase of a particular action.

2. serving to complete a military campaign by killing or capturing any remaining enemy troops.

   a mopping-up operation.

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Etymology

Origin of mopping-up

1905–10; mop up + -ing ¹, used attributively

Example Sentences

The Ukrainian military said last week that its forces had raised the national flag in the strategic settlement, but were still carrying out mopping-up operations.

From Reuters

"He was clearly in pain and couldn't run properly. It was a gutsy effort, but it means it's a mopping-up operation for Australia tomorrow."

From BBC

“A mopping-up operation is going on,” Lukashenko said.

From Seattle Times

“It’s a total mopping-up operation. The Justice Ministry isn’t even trying to respect decorum,” Andrei Bastunets, the head of the organization, said.

From Seattle Times

What is left is a judicial mopping-up exercise.

From New York Times