Etymology: mop up
a. : the clearance of enemy stragglers from a captured area by troops assigned to the task
after the decisive battles come the mop-ups — Time
b. : the carrying out of safety measures after a forest fire is brought under control
there was still an endless amount of mop-up … and some crews would have to be kept on the fire for a week or two — G.R.Stewart
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/mop"up'/, n.
the act, process, or an instance of mopping up; completion of an operation or action.
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mopˈ-up noun
An action of mopping up
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Main Entry: ↑mop
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mop-up «MOP UHP», noun, adjective.
–n. Informal.
1. the act or process of cleaning up; a wiping out: »
It was the first county in which a mop-up of gambling was ordered (New York Times).
2. the systematic killing or capture of defeated troops left in an area after a major battle or war: »
As the mop-up continued, casualties mounted (Time).
–adj.
of or having to do with a mop-up: »
Terrorists struck at British mop-up patrols with homemade bombs and rifle fire (Newsweek).
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/ˈmɑːpˌʌp/ noun [singular]
informal : the actions that complete a job or task after the more difficult parts have been done
The project is almost done. All that's left is the mop-up.
— often used before another noun
mop-up duty
the mop-up phase of operations
Useful english dictionary. 2012.