Clean up the kitchen after you're finished.

Meaning: This means to put away the food and clean the dishes and other things you used to make the meal.

Choice of Words: Clean means to make something free of dirt, dust, or other unwanted substances. Kitchen is a room or area in a house or building where food is prepared and cooked. After means following in time or order. Finished means completed or ended.

Alternative Expressions

Clean up the kitchen after you're finished.

Meaning: This means to ask someone to make the kitchen clean and tidy after they have finished using it. It's like saying, Please make the kitchen clean and tidy after you have finished cooking.

Choice of Words: Clean means to make something free of dirt or mess. Up means to move something to a higher position or to make it tidy. Kitchen is a room in a house where food is prepared and cooked. After means following or coming later than something else. Finished means to have completed a task or activity. When you put them together, "Clean up the kitchen after you're finished" means to make the kitchen clean and tidy after you have finished using it.

Tidy up the kitchen after you're done.

Meaning: This means to ask someone to make the kitchen neat and organized after they have finished using it. It's like saying, Please make the kitchen neat and organized after you have finished cooking.

Choice of Words: Tidy means to make something neat and organized. Up means to move something to a higher position or to make it tidy. Kitchen is a room in a house where food is prepared and cooked. After means following or coming later than something else. Done means to have completed a task or activity. When you put them together, "Tidy up the kitchen after you're done" means to make the kitchen neat and organized after you have finished using it.

Put away the dishes after you're through.

Meaning: This means to ask someone to place the dishes in their proper location after they have finished using them. It's like saying, Please put the dishes in the cupboard after you have finished eating.

Choice of Words: Put means to place something in a specific location. Away means to move something to a different location. Dishes are plates, bowls, cups, and other items used for eating and serving food. After means following or coming later than something else. Through means to have finished something. When you put them together, "Put away the dishes after you're through" means to place the dishes in their proper location after you have finished using them.

Related Expressions