slate (redirected from slates)

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: clean

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: clean, wipe

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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: clean, wipe