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mop
that's the way the mop flops
There is nothing we can do about the way things have unfolded, especially bad ones, so there is no reason to be upset about it. (A variant of the more common "That's the way the cookie crumbles.") I'm pretty gutted about not getting into the grad school program I wanted, but hey, that's just the way the mop flops.
that's how the mop flops
There is nothing we can do about the way things have unfolded, especially bad ones, so there is no reason to be upset about it. (A variant of the more common "That's how the ball bounces.") I'm pretty gutted about not getting into the grad school program I wanted, but hey, that's just how the mop flops.
all mops and brooms
Drunk. Likely a reference to the mops and brooms needed to clean up after drunk people who vomit. I can't stand coming to this bar—it's full of college kids who are all mops and brooms for the first time. I got all mops and brooms at the party last night, and I'm paying for it today, all right. I may never drink again!
Dame Partington and her mop
Someone staunchly opposed to progress or reform, even when it is inevitable. The phrase is thought to have originated from stories in 19th-century England of a woman who kept trying to get water out of her flooded home during a storm before finally evacuating. I can't believe you're still fighting against that new tax! Stop being like Dame Partington and her mop and just accept change!
mop head
The part of a mop that the cloth or sponge is attached to. I'm going to need a new mop after all—the mop head on this one is missing!
mop something down
to clean a surface with a mop. Please mop this floor down now. Please mop down this floor.
mop something off
to wipe the liquid off something. Please mop the counter off with paper towels. Mop off the counter.
mop something up
to clean up something, such as a spill, with a mop or with a mopping motion. Please mop this mess up. I will mop up this mess.
mop something up with something
to clean or remove something from something else using a mop, rag, towel, etc. I can mop the mess up with this old rag mop. She will mop up the mess with the rag.
mop the floor up with someone
to overwhelm and physically subdue someone; to beat someone. Stop talking like that, or I'll mop the floor up with you! Did you hear that? He threatened to mop up the floor with me!
mop up
(after someone or something) 1. Lit. to clean up with a mop a sloppy mess made by someone or something. I am the one who has to mop up after the mess you made!
2. Fig. to rectify a problem that someone or something has created. You made a fuss in the conference and upset everyone. I spent hours mopping up after you in private meetings with all in attendance.
mopping-up operation
a clean-up operation; the final stages in a project where the loose ends are taken care of. It's all over except a small mopping-up operation. The mopping-up operation from the hurricane should cost just under twenty million.
That's the way the ball bounces.
and That's the way the cookie crumbles.; That's the way the mop flops.Prov. You cannot control everything that happens to you.; You should accept the bad things that happen. Bill: I bought a hundred lottery tickets this week, but I still didn't win! Alan: That's the way the ball bounces. I was planning to have fun on my vacation, but I've been sick the whole time. I guess that's just the way the cookie crumbles. That's tough, but that's the way the mop flops.
mop up (something)
also mop something up1. to complete something The fire wasn't completely out, and we should have stayed and mopped it up.
2. to rid an area of an enemy Army troops were mopping up the last of the rebel fighters.
3. to remove what has been damaged by a storm or other violent event California has just started to mop up after two storms blasted the state.
4. to remove the results of a problem Altman's department was in charge of mopping up the banking scandal.
mop up somebody
also mop somebody up to defeat someone The vice president mopped up his opponent in a televised debate. Everyone says he's a great fighter, but Ali could have mopped him up in a second.
wipe the floor with somebody
(British, American & Australian) also mop the floor with somebody (American) to defeat someone easily Alex is always really good in a debate, she'll wipe the floor with them.
mop up
1. Clear an area of remaining enemy troops after a victory, as in They left behind just one squadron to mop up. [c. 1900]
2. Perform the minor tasks that conclude a project or activity, as in Go ahead, I'll mop up these last invoices. [First half of 1900s] Both usages transfer the task of housecleaning with a mop to other kinds of cleanup.
mop up the floor with
Also, wipe the floor with. Defeat thoroughly, overwhelm, as in The young boxer said he was sure to mop up the floor with his opponent, or I just know we'll wipe the floor with the competition. [Late 1800s]
Earp slop, bring the mop
tv. Someone has vomited. (Juvenile.) See what’s in the hall? Earp slop, bring the mop.
mop
(mɑp)1. n. a drinking bout. She is off somewhere on another mop.
2. n. a heavy drinker; a drunkard. The guy’s a mop. There is nothing you can do till he decides he’s had enough.
3. n. hair; a hairdo. How do you like my new mop?
mop the floor up with someone
and wipe the floor up with someone tv. to beat someone to a pulp. (Also with other verbs: clean, dust, etc.) Max whacked Bruno one and then mopped up the floor with him. One more crack like that, and I’ll have Sam wipe the floor up with you.
mopped
and moppy mod. alcohol intoxicated. Jack was a little moppy to be driving.
mopping-up operation
n. a clean-up operation; the final stages in a project where the loose ends are taken care of. It’s all over except a small mopping-up operation.
That’s the way the mop flops
sent. This is the way things happen.; This is typical of a random pattern of events. (Contrived.) Sorry to hear about that, but that’s the way the mop flops.