clean (redirected from cleans)

be as clean as a whistle

1. if someone is as clean as a whistle, they are not involved in anything illegal. He hasn't got a criminal record - he's clean as a whistle.

2. to be very clean. The café's as clean as a whistle, and the food's excellent.

See also: whistle

a clean bill of health

if you give someone or something a clean bill of health, you examine them and state that they are healthy, in good condition, or legal. John will have to stay at home until the doctors give him a clean bill of health. Of 30 countries inspected for airline safety only 17 received a clean bill of health.

See also: bill, health

a clean break

if you make a clean break from someone or something, you leave them quickly and completely, and are not involved with them at all in the future. Sometimes we need to make a clean break with the past. (often + with) The Japanese are planning a clean break from the old television technologies. (often + from)

See also: break

a clean sheet

1. if you are given a clean sheet, you can start something again, and all the problems caused by you or other people in the past will be forgotten. I want us to forget all the arguing of the past, and start the New Year with a clean sheet.

2. if a football team or a goalkeeper (= the player who stands in the goal) has a clean sheet, they do not allow the other team to score any goals. United kept a clean sheet in an away match for the first time this season.

See also: sheet

a clean slate

if you are given a clean slate, you can start something again, and all of the problems caused by you or other people in the past will be forgotten. The company's debts have been paid so that the new manager can start with a clean slate.

See also: slate

a clean sweep

if you make a clean sweep, you win a competition or an election very easily or you win all the prizes in a competition. China's women divers achieved a clean sweep in yesterday's competitions. Analysts are predicting a clean sweep for the ruling party in the forthcoming elections.

See also: sweep

clean up your act (informal)

to stop doing things that other people do not approve of and start to behave in a more acceptable way. There's a very strong anti-press feeling at the moment. A lot of people think it's time they cleaned up their act.

See also: act

come clean

to tell the truth, often about something bad that you have been trying to keep a secret. I felt it was time to come clean and tell her what the doctor had told me. It's time for the Chancellor to come clean about the proposed tax rises. (often + about)

See also: come

have clean hands

keep your hands clean - to avoid becoming involved in any activities which are bad or illegal. The country's leaders must be seen to have clean hands.

See also: hand

keep your hands clean

to avoid becoming involved in any activities which are bad or illegal. Politicians can leave the lies and smear campaigns to journalists and keep their own hands clean.

See also: hand, keep

keep your nose clean

to avoid getting into trouble or doing anything illegal. I'd only been out of prison three months so I was trying to keep my nose clean.

See also: keep, nose

make a clean breast of it

to tell the truth about something, especially something bad or illegal that you have done, so that you do not have to feel guilty any more. After months of lying about the money, I decided to make a clean breast of it and tell the truth.

See also: breast

show someone a clean pair of heels (British)

to go faster than someone else in a race. Butler showed them all a clean pair of heels as he raced for the finishing line.

See also: heel, pair, show

squeaky clean

1. someone who is squeaky clean is completely good and honest and never does anything bad. Journalists have been trying to discover whether the Senator really is as squeaky clean as he claims to be.

2. completely clean. I love the squeaky clean feel of my hair after I've washed it.

wipe the slate clean

to make it possible to start something again, without any of the mistakes or problems of the past. The time he spent in prison should have wiped the slate clean.

See also: slate, wipe

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a clean bill of health

1. news that an organization is operating correctly. The airline received a clean bill of health from federal investigators.

2. news that you are healthy or well. Johnson was given a clean bill of health by his doctors earlier this month.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of a clean bill of health (= a statement from a health official that all the people working on a ship are in good health)

See also: bill, health

clean someone out

to take everything from someone. Thieves took my bank card and absolutely cleaned me out. I'd offer you something to eat, but Sean was here last night and he cleaned us out.

clean up

to win or earn a lot of money. We cleaned up playing the slots at the casino last night. The computer giant cleaned up with its new, easy-to-use operating system.

clean up somewhere

to remove illegal or dishonest activity from a place. Having more police on the street has helped clean up the city.

clean up your act

to improve your behavior. He used to drink a lot, but he seems to have cleaned up his act.

See also: act

come clean

to tell the truth about something you have tried to hide. I should probably come clean now and admit that I don't really know how to cook at all.

See also: come

keep your hands clean

at the hands of someone

See also: hand, keep

keep your hands clean

to avoid becoming involved in something, esp. immoral or illegal. I do not see how anyone working with such corrupt and greedy people could have clean hands.

get your hands dirty

See also: hand, keep

keep your nose clean

to avoid trouble. If he kept his nose clean, he could look forward to being promoted to vice president. Since being released from prison, Tim has kept his nose clean.

make waves

don't rock the boat

See also: keep, nose

wipe the slate clean

to forget all past problems or mistakes and start something again. Rogers hoped he could wipe the slate clean and forget about his failed business.

Usage notes: also used in the form have a clean slate: She wanted to have a clean slate to start with.

See also: slate, wipe