mop-up

\\ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷\ noun (-s)

Etymology: mop up

: an act of concluding or final disposal : cleanup: as

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.

[1895-1900; n. use of v. phrase mop up]

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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

see also mop up at ↑mop, 2