[mop-uhp] 
| the act, process, or an instance of mopping up; completion of an operation or action. |
[mop] noun, verb, mopped, mop⋅ping.| 1. | a bundle of coarse yarn, a sponge, or other absorbent material, fastened at the end of a stick or handle for washing floors, dishes, etc. |
| 2. | a thick mass of hair. |
| 3. | a polishing wheel having several layers of cloth secured by a boss. |
| 4. | to rub, wipe, clean, or remove with a mop (often fol. by up): to mop up a spill. |
| 5. | to wipe as if with a mop: to mop the face with a handkerchief. |
| 6. | to clean or wipe with or as if with a mop (often fol. by up): First he swept, then he mopped up. |
| 7. | mop up,
|
| 8. | mop the floor with. floor (def. 20). |
| mop (mŏp) n.
v. tr. To wash or wipe with or as if with a mop: mopped the hallway; mopping the spilled water; mopped her forehead with a towel. v. intr. To use a mop to wash or dry surfaces: mopped along the baseboards. Phrasal Verb(s): mop up
[Middle English mappe, perhaps from Old French dialectal, napkin, from Latin mappa, towel, cloth; see map.] mop'per n. |
mop
[mɑp]
|
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]
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.