scrub up
To wash oneself, especially one's hands, very thoroughly with soap and water. Make sure to get your kids in the habit of scrubbing up before they eat. All surgeons must scrub up before entering the operating room.
scrub up
1. Lit. to clean oneself up. You have to scrub up before dinner. Please go scrub up before you come to the table.
2. Fig. to clean oneself, especially one's hands and arms, as a preparation for performing a surgical procedure. The surgeon scrubbed up thoroughly before the operation. When you finish scrubbing up, someone will help you on with sterile clothing.
scrub up
Thoroughly wash one's hands and forearms, as before performing surgery. For example, The residents had to scrub up in case they were called on to assist with the operation. [c. 1900]
scrub up
v. To wash the hands and arms thoroughly, as before performing or participating in surgery: The doctors and nurses scrubbed up before entering the operating room.