cleanup on aisle

phrase

Indicates that a mess needs to be cleaned up, or that a messy situation needs to be resolved. (followed by an arbitrary number)

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Meanings

phrase

alternative cleanup in aisle

  1. humorousIndicates that a mess needs to be cleaned up, or that a messy situation needs to be resolved. (followed by an arbitrary number)

    "You're fixated on the idea you made a mess of your case." "Cleanup on aisle five. People died who shouldn't have."

    2021, John Ritter, Fatal Conceit
    2 more examples

    I knock over my bowl of cereal and spill it all over the coffee table. […] After she's satisfied with my cleanup on aisle three, my mom says, “Shouldn't you be getting ready to go? […]

    2012, Annameekee Hesik, The You Know Who Girls: Freshman Year

    Cleanup on aisle 9: Sulfur avidly binds mercury, and using fine sulfur powder, known as “flowers of sulfur” or “flowers of brimstone” to cover the exposed area is the preferred method for decontamination and cleanup of small mercury spills.

    2022, Charles A. Lewis, Neurodevelopment and Intelligence, page 313

Origin

Suggests an intercom message to employees in a large store. Perhaps popularized by the American comedy film Mr. Mom (1983).

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

cleanup on aisle. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cleanup%20on%20aisle

MLA

“cleanup on aisle.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cleanup%20on%20aisle. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “cleanup on aisle,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cleanup%20on%20aisle.

Source: cleanup on aisle on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.