What does "Do the washing-up" mean?

To wash the dishes (British) British term for washing dishes. 'Washing-up' is the noun form.

How do you use "Do the washing-up" in a sentence?

I'll do the washing-up. Washing-up needs doing. Pile of washing-up. Washing-up liquid.

Do the washing-up

Slang Term BritishAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

Practice this with flashcards, quizzes & audio on WordLoci →

Meaning: To wash the dishes (British)

洗碗（英国用语）

Lavar los platos (británico)

皿洗いをする（イギリス英語）

설거지를 하다 (영국식 표현)

British term for washing dishes. 'Washing-up' is the noun form.

英国用语，指洗碗。'Washing-up'是名词形式。

Expresión británica para lavar los platos. 'Washing-up' es la forma sustantiva.

皿洗いを意味するイギリス英語。「Washing-up」は名詞形。

설거지를 뜻하는 영국식 표현. 'washing-up'은 명사형.

Examples

I'll do the washing-up.
我来洗碗
Yo lavo los platos
皿洗いするよ
내가 설거지할게.
Washing-up needs doing.
需要洗碗了
Hay que lavar los platos
皿洗いしなきゃ
설거지를 해야 해.
Pile of washing-up.
一堆待洗的碗
Montón de platos para lavar
洗い物の山
설거지 거리가 산더미야.
Washing-up liquid.
洗洁精
Lavavajillas líquido
食器用洗剤
주방 세제.

Pronunciation

/ˈwɒʃɪŋ ʌp/

Usage Guide

Context: housework, kitchen, chores

Tone: neutral, everyday

✓ Do Say

Washing-up.
洗碗
Fregar los platos
皿洗い
설거지.
Do the washing-up.
洗碗
Lavar los platos
皿洗いをする
설거지하다.
The washing-up.
要洗的碗
Los platos para lavar
皿洗い
설거지거리.

✗ Don't Say

British term
British term（英国用语）
British term (término británico)
British term（イギリス英語の用語）
영국식 표현
Americans say 'do the dishes'
Americans say 'do the dishes'（美国人说'do the dishes'）
Americans say 'do the dishes' (los americanos dicen 'do the dishes')
Americans say 'do the dishes'（アメリカ人は「do the dishes」と言う）
미국에서는 'do the dishes'라고 함

Common Mistakes

British term
'Washing-up liquid' = dish soap

Origin & History

British expression for dish washing. Americans say 'do the dishes.'

Etymology: Washing up the dishes

First recorded: British expression

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: British household; Fairy Liquid adverts

Regional notes: British term. Americans say 'do the dishes.'

Variations

Washing-upDo the washing-upThe washing-up