mop up
[verb]
Synonyms: clean up, soak up, sponge, swab, wash, wipe

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

mop something/somebody ↔ up phrasal verb (see also mop)

1. to remove liquid with a mop, a cloth, or something soft, especially in order to clean a surface Synonym : wipe up:
Mop the sauce up with your bread.
He mopped up the spilt milk.

2. to remove or deal with something which you think is undesirable or dangerous, so that it is no longer a problem:
The usual solution is to send in infantry to mop up any remaining opposition.
The rebellion has been crushed, but mopping-up operations may take several weeks.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

mop up
mop up (something)
1.
to complete something.
The fire wasn't completely out, and we should have stayed and mopped it up.

2.
to remove what has been damaged by a storm or other violent event.
California has just started to mop up after two storms blasted the state.

3.
to rid an area of an enemy.
Army troops were mopping up the last of the rebel fighters.

4.
to remove the results of a problem.
Altman's department was in charge of mopping up the banking scandal.

mop up (someone)
to defeat someone.
The vice president mopped up his opponent in a televised debate.

Everyone says he's a great fighter, but Ali could have mopped him up in a second.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

mop up something
mop up (something)
1.
to complete something.
The fire wasn't completely out, and we should have stayed and mopped it up.

2.
to remove what has been damaged by a storm or other violent event.
California has just started to mop up after two storms blasted the state.

3.
to rid an area of an enemy.
Army troops were mopping up the last of the rebel fighters.

4.
to remove the results of a problem.
Altman's department was in charge of mopping up the banking scandal.

mop up (someone)
to defeat someone.
The vice president mopped up his opponent in a televised debate.

Everyone says he's a great fighter, but Ali could have mopped him up in a second.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

mop up
v. phr. To disperse or liquidate isolated groups or detachments of opposing forces.
Our forces won the basic battle but there still remain pockets of resistance they must mop up.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

mop up someone
mop up (someone)
to defeat someone.
The vice president mopped up his opponent in a televised debate.

Everyone says he's a great fighter, but Ali could have mopped him up in a second.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲