From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishwashing-upˌwashing-ˈup ●●○ noun [uncountable] British English 1 DHCWASHthe washing of plates, dishes, knives etc It’s your turn to do the washing-up, Sam.2 DHCDFUthe dirty pans, plates, dishes, knives etc that have to be washed SYN dishes American English a pile of washing-up
Examples from the Corpus
washing-up• I hope that's ozone-friendly washing-up liquid they're using.• These Christians served each other, did not fight each other, laughed with one another, and did each other's washing-up!• She leaves at nine-thirty, when dinner is finished and the washing-up is done.• I decide to do the washing-up before I start putting Mum to bed.• On hearing the story Lily had retired to bed with a headache leaving Stella to do the washing-up.• Female speaker My daddy does the washing-up for mummy.• Sarah finished the washing-up and, taking off her apron, folded it and placed it in one of the table drawers.• Sweat from the washing-up misted her forehead and nose.do the washing-up• I decide to do the washing-up before I start putting Mum to bed.• Leith was afterwards about to refuse Rosemary's offer to do the washing-up.• On hearing the story Lily had retired to bed with a headache leaving Stella to do the washing-up. 