cleanup on aisle

English

Alternative forms

• cleanup in aisle

Etymology

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

Phrase

cleanup on aisle

1. (humorous) Indicates that a mess needs to be cleaned up, or a messy situation resolved. (followed by an arbitrary number)
   • 2012, Annameekee Hesik, The You Know Who Girls: Freshman Year:

     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? […]

   • 2021, John Ritter, Fatal Conceit:

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

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

     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.

See also

• code brown