keep nose clean

keep (one's) nose clean

To behave properly; to stay out of trouble. You better keep your nose clean, kid, or you're going to run into trouble you can't handle.

See also: clean, keep, nose

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

keep one's nose clean

Fig. to keep out of trouble, especially trouble with the law. I'm trying to keep my nose clean by staying away from those rough guys. John, if you don't learn how to keep your nose clean, you're going to end up in jail.

See also: clean, keep, nose

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

keep (one's) nose clean

Informal

To stay out of trouble.

See also: clean, keep, nose

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.