Expressions with CLEAN

Have you ever got a clean bill of health after a visit to the doctor? Or has your favourite football team managed to keep a clean sheet? English has quite a few useful expressions with clean, and many of them have meanings that go far beyond soap and water. In fact, as clean as a new pin is a recognised idiom meaning extremely clean, and Cambridge also lists as clean as a whistle as a similar expression.

10 Useful Expressions with “Clean”

1. Make a clean break

Meaning: to end a relationship or situation suddenly and completely, so that you can move on.

• After years in a stressful job, Nina decided to make a clean break and start her own business.
• Sometimes the best thing you can do after a difficult relationship is make a clean break.

2. As clean as a new pin

Meaning: extremely clean and tidy. This expression is a little old-fashioned, but it still sounds charming.

• When we came back from holiday, the whole house was as clean as a new pin.
• His grandmother keeps her kitchen as clean as a new pin.

3. A new broom sweeps clean

Meaning: said when someone new takes control of an organisation and quickly makes a lot of changes.

• The new head teacher has already changed the timetable and the school rules. A new broom sweeps clean.
• Our new manager has brought in fresh ideas, but then again, a new broom sweeps clean.

4. Have a clean bill of health

Meaning: to be told by a doctor, or another authority, that you are healthy or that something is in good condition.

• After a few medical tests, Ella was relieved to receive a clean bill of health.
• The vet gave the dog a clean bill of health.

5. A clean slate

Meaning: a fresh start, without being influenced by past problems or mistakes.

• It’s a new year, so let’s start with a clean slate.
• After the argument, they agreed to put everything behind them and begin again with a clean slate.

6. Come clean

Meaning: to tell the truth about something you have been hiding.

• Jake finally came clean about breaking the window.
• You should come clean and tell your parents what really happened to the car.

7. Keep a clean sheet

Meaning: in football, to stop the other team from scoring.

• Arsenal kept a clean sheet and won 2–0.
• It was an excellent performance from the defence, who managed to keep a clean sheet once again.

8. As clean as a whistle

Meaning: extremely clean; it can also suggest that something is clear or free from wrongdoing. Cambridge lists it alongside as clean as a new pin.

• After polishing the car for an hour, Ben had it as clean as a whistle.
• The flat was as clean as a whistle when the guests arrived.

9. Clean-cut

Meaning: used especially about a man who looks neat, tidy, and well-behaved.

• Celia’s boyfriend is a clean-cut young man with very good manners.
• He looked clean-cut and professional in his dark suit.

10. Have clean hands

Meaning: to be innocent and not involved in anything dishonest or illegal.

• The investigation showed that she had clean hands and knew nothing about the fraud.
• He insists he has clean hands and was never part of the scheme.

Final thought

Expressions with clean are surprisingly rich in meaning. Some talk about honesty, some about new beginnings, and some belong to the world of football. That is the fun of idioms: they keep English lively, unpredictable, and occasionally as slippery as a fish in a bucket.

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