Learn English – The difference between “clean up”, “clean out”, and “clean”

phrase-usage

I always have some trouble distinguishing these words, "clean up", "clean out" and "clean". Is it possible to use only "clean", instead of "clean up" and "clean out". For example, instead of saying, I have to clean up my living room. I say, "I have to clean my living room." Instead of saying, I have to clean out my garage, "I have to clean my garage. Instead of saying, I have to clean out the drawers. "I have to clean the drawers." I looked into the differences a lot on the Internet. And I think I understand the differences, but in everyday conversation, do I have to distinguish them correctly?

Best Answer

They are very related, but one form is stronger than the other.

  1. clear out

    • tidy up thoroughly and get rid of stuff you don't need.
      I must clear my room out, there are a lot of things using space.
    • something that causes you to spend all of your money.
      Christmas really cleaned me out.

  2. clean up

    • tidy and clean.
      This bedroom must be cleaned up.
    • for profit.
      We bet and won so much that we cleaned everything up.

  3. We can use clean without a particle by using the present simple:

    • I clean the kitchen every day.

  4. As an imperative:

    • Clean your room now!

  5. As an adjective:

    • Clean lines were drawn on the map.
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