clear (one's) name

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clear (one's) name

To exonerate oneself or another of a criminal charge or allegation of wrongdoing. I was only accused of that crime because I look like the perpetrator, so I was able to clear my name. Good luck trying to clear your name once people think you've done something wrong.

See also: clear, name

clear someone's name

to prove that someone is not guilty of a crime or misdeed. (See also clear someone of something.) I was accused of theft, but the real thief confessed and I cleared my name.

See also: clear, name

clear one's name

Also, clear oneself. Prove someone (or oneself) innocent. For example, She not only wanted to be acquitted, she wanted to clear her name entirely. This locution employs the verb clear in the sense of "purify" or "wash away a stain." [Late 1400s]

See also: clear, name

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

clear somebody’s ˈname

prove that somebody is innocent: Throughout his years in prison, his family fought to clear his name.

See also: clear, name

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

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References in classic literature ?

'True; and if I, by my thoughtlessness and selfish disregard to appearances, have at all assisted to expose you to these evils, let me entreat you not only to pardon me, but to enable me to make reparation; authorise me to clear your name from every imputation: give me the right to identify your honour with my own, and to defend your reputation as more precious than my life!'

View in context

"Clear your name or leave in peace," he said in his letter, adding that he feared a sectarian conflict if Qabbani did face the accusations.

Hoss tells Qabbani to clear name or step down

District Judge Michael Ableson told Picewicz: "If you use a solicitor you can continue to fight to clear your name. If you had done that in the first place, you would not be a criminal today."

Harassment teacher vows to clear his name

Justin says: An Employment Tribunal cannot clear your name in the way I think you are hoping for, but they can make a declaration to the effect that you were unfairly dismissed.