neat
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(as) neat as a pin
Tidy; clean; in good or neat order. I expected Danny's student apartment to be a total mess, but it was as neat as a pin when we arrived! I expect you to leave this kitchen neat as a pin when you finish for the night, understand? James is so meticulous with his office, always keeping it neat as a pin.
(as) neat as ninepence
Very tidy, neat, and well-organized; in good order. After my kids made me breakfast in bed, I expected the kitchen to be a mess. But was I ever surprised to find the whole place as neat as ninepence when I came downstairs! James is so meticulous with his office, always keeping it neat as ninepence. I figured Danny's student apartment would be a complete disaster, but it was as neat as ninepence when we arrived!
neat and tidy
Very organized and clean. Every room in this house needs to be neat and tidy before my mother-in-law gets here.
neat as a bandbox
Impeccably dressed; stylish. A bandbox is a container that was used to store accessories like collars and ruffs. Dave, I just love that suit and tie on you! You look neat as a bandbox!
See also: neat
neat as a new pin
Very neat, tidy, and clean. I expected Danny's student apartment to be a total mess, but it was neat as a new pin!
tie (something) up in a neat little bow
To take care of, finish, or resolve something fully and completely, especially in a way that is satisfying or pleasing. OK, yes, I like those corny movies that tie everything up in a neat little bow at the end. I hate when there are loose ends! We need every detail tied up in a neat little bow before we make our pitch to the board, got it?
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
*neat as a pin
Cliché neat and orderly. (*Also: as ~.) Brad is such a good housekeeper; his apartment is always as neat as a pin. Joanne certainly is well-organized. Her desk is neat as a pin.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
neat
1. mod. great; cool; fine. That was not a very neat thing to do.
2. exclam. Wow! (Usually Neat!) Neat! I’m glad you came.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
neat as a pin
Trim, orderly. This term dates from the late eighteenth century and appeared in print in several works by John Wolcot (who used the pseudonym Peter Pindar), as “neat as a new pin.”
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer