Clean up your act
phrase
To improve your behaviour or performance.
She warned him to clean up his act or he'd find himself out of a job.

Often appears as...
- he needs to clean up his act
- clean up your act or lose your job
Usage tips
Colloquial
phrase
To correct one's faults or errors.
After several policy violations, the company was under pressure to clean up its act.

Often appears as...
- company needs to clean up its act
- clean up their act after criticism
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To stop illegal or immoral activities.
The new sheriff promised to clean up the town's act, starting with the illegal gambling operations.

Often appears as...
- clean up the town's act
- clean up act after illegal activities
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To improve your behaviour or performance.
She warned him to clean up his act or he'd find himself out of a job.

Often appears as...
- he needs to clean up his act
- clean up your act or lose your job
Usage tips
Colloquial
phrase
To correct one's faults or errors.
After several policy violations, the company was under pressure to clean up its act.

Often appears as...
- company needs to clean up its act
- clean up their act after criticism
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To stop illegal or immoral activities.
The new sheriff promised to clean up the town's act, starting with the illegal gambling operations.

Often appears as...
- clean up the town's act
- clean up act after illegal activities
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 3

Peer Pressure
Used when someone is urged by others to change their behavior or attitude.

Everyone said he should clean up his act if he wants to fit in.
Self-Improvement
Often used when someone has made a personal decision to improve their behavior.

She realized she needed to clean up her act to achieve her goals.
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension