Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

I came across the street to meet you

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

The bridge came across the river

Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

She comes across as very confident in interviews

He came across the finish line first

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

The bus will come by this route

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

I come by the office every morning at 8

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Can you come by my house later for coffee?

The train came by the station too fast

She comes by the grocery store home

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The new iPhone will come out next month

I need to come out from the house now

The new iPhone will come out next month

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The truth finally came out after the investigation

The students came out to the classroom

Mastering the Phrasal Verb: Tidy Up

📖 Definition

Tidy up means to clean or organize things and places to make them neat and orderly. It involves rearranging, decluttering, and putting items in their correct places.

Examples in context

Jane decided to tidy up her messy room before her parents arrived.
The team stayed late to tidy up the conference room after the meeting.
We need to tidy up the backyard for the summer barbecue.

📖 Definition

Tidy up means to clean or organize things and places to make them neat and orderly. It involves rearranging, decluttering, and putting items in their correct places.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

Yes

The object can be placed between tidy and up or after up.

Neutral

Used in both formal and informal contexts without change in meaning.

Transitive

Yes

Takes a direct object; you tidy up something.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	tidy up	She will tidy up her desk after the meeting.
Past Simple	tidied up	He tidied up the kitchen after dinner.
Present Continuous	tidying up	They are tidying up the garden for the party.
Present Perfect	have tidied up	We have tidied up the garage already.

💡 When to Use

After a party

Use it to describe cleaning and organizing a space after guests leave.

Example: "After the guests left, we tidied up the living room."

Preparing for visitors

Use it when making a space ready for guests by arranging and cleaning.

Example: "I'm tidying up the guest room before my aunt arrives."

End of workday

Use it to describe organizing a workspace before leaving.

Example: "Make sure to tidy up your desk before you leave."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect placement of object

❌ Wrong: She tidied her room up quickly.

✅ Correct: She tidied up her room quickly.

💡 Tip: Place the object after tidy up.

Omitting parts of the verb

❌ Wrong: He decides to tidy the garden.

✅ Correct: He decides to tidy up the garden.

💡 Tip: Ensure to use both 'tidy' and 'up'.

Unnecessary preposition

❌ Wrong: They tidied up with the kitchen.

✅ Correct: They tidied up the kitchen.

💡 Tip: Keep it simple: tidy up + object.

"To tidy up one's environment is to gradually declutter the mind, revealing the clarity that chaos often conceals."

In Context

In post-World War II France, Charles de Gaulle faced the monumental task of rebuilding a nation in disarray. Upon rising to power as the head of the provisional government in 1944, he knew that France must tidy up its ravaged cities and economy. His first task was to address the immediate needs of the war-torn populace, providing essential supplies and establishing order in occupied regions. During his leadership, de Gaulle emphasized the importance of tidying up administrative frameworks to restore democratic governance. With determination, he sought to tidy up diplomatic relations with Allied nations, reinforcing France's position on the global stage. In 1946, de Gaulle stepped down temporarily but returned to power in 1958 amid political chaos. His return marked a new constitutional era, paving the way for the Fifth Republic. By tidying up the governmental structure, he ensured stability and continuity, thus solidifying his legacy. De Gaulle's efforts to tidy up not only restored France’s dignity but also set a foundation for future prosperity, demonstrating how decisive leadership can transform a turbulent nation.

Practice

TIDY UP - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

1
Listen to example

Jane decided to tidy up her messy room before her parents arrived.
Van Life and Trailer Living
2
Listen to example

The team stayed late to tidy up the conference room after the meeting.
Van Life and Trailer Living
3
Listen to example

We need to tidy up the backyard for the summer barbecue.
Van Life and Trailer Living

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

clean up organize

Antonyms

mess up

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"It's time to ___ the playroom before dinner."

tidy

tidy up

clean

neaten

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Tidy Up

What is the origin of tidy up?

The phrase 'tidy up' originates from Middle English, where 'tidy' meant 'in good condition.' The phrasal verb evolved to mean organizing an area.

Can tidy up be used in formal and informal contexts?

Yes, 'tidy up' is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, suitable for describing organizing tasks in diverse settings.

What is the difference between tidy up and clean up?

While both involve making spaces neat, 'tidy up' implies organizing and arranging, whereas 'clean up' usually means removing dirt or mess.

Browse Tiny House:Phrasal Verbs for Small Living

About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey

📖 Definition

📖 Definition

📝 Grammar Info

📊 Conjugation Table

💡 When to Use

⚠️ Common Mistakes

In Context

TIDY UP - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Tidy Up

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega