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.

See also: neat, 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!

See also: neat, ninepence

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.

See also: and, neat, tidy

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!

See also: neat, 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?

See also: bow, little, neat, tie, up

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.

See also: neat, 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.”

See also: neat, pin

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer