CLEAN idioms (idioms with adjectives)

What does clean mean?

The word ‘clean‘ as an adjective can mean pure or free from dirt. For example

• I have a clean record. (pure)
• The car is now clean. (free from dirt)

clean idioms list

Let’s take a look at some common idioms containing the word ‘clean’.

• as clean as a whistle
  meaning – very clean or not guilty
  example – Peter didn’t steal the money, he’s as clean as a whistle.
• clean bill of health
  meaning – a report to say someone/something is fit and healthy
  example – The doctor gave Ian a clean bill of health. He can fly to the wedding in New Zealand.
• clean sheet
  meaning – start afresh with no past mistakes/problems or concede no goals/points in a sports match
  example – After 5 matches, the Canaries still have a clean sheet.
• clean someone out
  meaning – take/use all of someone’s money
  example – The lad’s poker night cleaned me out. The wife won’t be happy when she finds out.
• keep one’s nose clean
  meaning – stay out of trouble, behave
  example – Lewis has kept his nose clean since becoming a father.
• spring clean
  meaning – thoroughly clean a house/room and throw away unwanted things
  example – We’ve had a spring clean. Would you like some cutlery for your kitchen?
• take someone to the cleaners
  meaning – unfairly take all someone’s money/property/possessions
  example – Gordon won the poker night. He took everyone to the cleaners.
• wipe the slate clean
  meaning – erase debts/problems or mistakes and start again
  example – The prisoner’s slate was wiped clean, and he was free to leave jail and start afresh.

clean idioms list with pictures

Here’s some real life picture examples.

You can download a table of ‘clean’ idioms and expressions below.

If you’ve enjoyed this page, don’t forget to check out some more idioms with adjectives by clicking on the links below.