CLEAN idioms (idioms with adjectives)

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What does clean mean?

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

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.