mop

mop1 [ map ] noun count

1. ) an object with a long handle and a mass of thick strings or a SPONGE on one end, used for washing floors

2. ) INFORMAL a lot of thick messy hair:

mop of: a mop of curly brown hair

mop

mop 2 [ map ] verb

1. ) intransitive or transitive to wash a floor using a mop:

Don't go in the kitchen, I've just finished mopping the floor.

2. ) transitive to wipe SWEAT from your face with a cloth when you are very hot or sick:

mop your brow: He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and mopped his brow.

3. ) mop or mop up transitive to clean liquid or dirt from a surface using a mop, cloth, or something soft:

I need a cloth to mop this wine.

mop the floor with someone AMERICAN INFORMAL

to completely defeat someone in a game or competition. British wipe the floor with someone:

The Seahawks mopped the floor with us again in last night's game.

,mop `up phrasal verb intransitive or transitive

1. ) same as MOP 2 3:

He mopped up the milk with a tissue.

2. ) to remove any remaining members of an enemy army from an area after a victory:

The government had hoped to mop up rebel resistance.

3. ) INFORMAL to finish something by dealing with a few final details:

We should be able to mop the rest of this up by the beginning of next week.