the act of cleaning plates, pans, glasses, knives, forks, etc. after a meal, or the objects needing to be washed

You do the washing-up and I'll do the drying. 你来洗碗，我来把它们擦干。

There's an enormous pile of washing-up in the sink. 洗涤槽里有一大堆餐具等着洗。