Clean is a word we use every day. It means something is free from dirt, neat, or fresh. But did you know there are many idioms that use the idea of clean to say special things? Idioms are phrases that have a meaning different from the words alone. They help make language more fun and interesting.
In this article, we will learn about 30 idioms for clean. These idioms show how people talk about being neat, honest, or starting fresh. Some idioms will be easy to understand, and others will surprise you. By reading this, you will get better at noticing idioms and using them in your own talking and writing.
Idioms for Clean
1. Clean slate
Meaning: A chance to start over fresh without mistakes from before.
Samples: After moving to a new school, I had a clean slate. / The coach gave me a clean slate after I missed the game.
To Put it Another Way: Starting fresh. / A new beginning without old problems.
2. Clean as a whistle
Meaning: Something very clean or pure.
Samples: Her room was clean as a whistle after she tidied it. / The glass was clean as a whistle and sparkled.
To Put it Another Way: Very neat and spotless. / Totally clean and shiny.
3. Clean bill of health
Meaning: Being told you are healthy or something is free from problems.
Samples: The doctor gave me a clean bill of health. / The car got a clean bill of health after the checkup.
To Put it Another Way: Good health report. / No problems found.
4. Clean hands
Meaning: Being honest and not guilty of doing wrong.
Samples: She kept her clean hands even when others cheated. / The judge said he had clean hands in the case.
To Put it Another Way: Honest and innocent. / Not involved in bad things.
5. Clean up your act
Meaning: To behave better or fix your mistakes.
Samples: Mom told me to clean up my act and finish my homework. / The team cleaned up their act after losing the game.
To Put it Another Way: Improve behavior. / Start doing things right.
6. Clean-cut
Meaning: Neat and well-groomed in appearance.
Samples: He looked clean-cut with his fresh haircut. / The student had a clean-cut look for the school photo.
To Put it Another Way: Neat and tidy. / Well dressed and smart.
7. Clean sweep
Meaning: Winning everything or removing all problems.
Samples: Our team made a clean sweep of the trophies. / They made a clean sweep of the classroom mess.
To Put it Another Way: Total win. / Everything cleaned or removed.
8. Clean break
Meaning: A quick and complete ending to something.
Samples: She made a clean break from her old school. / They had a clean break after the disagreement.
To Put it Another Way: Fast and clear ending. / Starting something new by ending the past.
9. Clean shot
Meaning: A perfect or clear chance to do something.
Samples: The goalie got a clean shot at the ball. / I had a clean shot to answer the question first.
To Put it Another Way: A clear chance. / A perfect opportunity.
10. Clean conscience
Meaning: Feeling good because you did nothing wrong.
Samples: I have a clean conscience because I told the truth. / She slept well with a clean conscience.
To Put it Another Way: Feeling honest. / Knowing you did the right thing.
11. Clean as a pin
Meaning: Very clean and neat.
Samples: The kitchen was clean as a pin after we cleaned. / His shoes were clean as a pin for the dance.
To Put it Another Way: Spotless and tidy. / Neat and fresh.
12. Clean out
Meaning: To remove everything from a place.
Samples: We cleaned out the closet to make space. / Mom cleaned out the fridge before grocery day.
To Put it Another Way: Take everything away. / Empty completely.
13. Clean bill
Meaning: Official approval that something is okay.
Samples: The playground got a clean bill after the safety check. / The project got a clean bill from the teacher.
To Put it Another Way: Official OK. / Passed inspection.
14. Clean as new
Meaning: Very clean, like something just made.
Samples: After washing, my jacket was as clean as new. / The floor looked clean as new after mopping.
To Put it Another Way: Like brand new. / Fresh and spotless.
15. Clean-cut image
Meaning: A good and neat appearance that people see.
Samples: The singer had a clean-cut image on TV. / The student kept a clean-cut image for the school play.
To Put it Another Way: Neat and good look. / A tidy, nice appearance.
16. Clean house
Meaning: To remove unwanted things or people.
Samples: The coach cleaned house and changed the team lineup. / We cleaned the house before the big party.
To Put it Another Way: Remove what’s not wanted. / Get rid of things or people.
17. Clean sheet
Meaning: No mistakes or problems.
Samples: The team kept a clean sheet in the game. / I turned in a clean sheet on my test with no errors.
To Put it Another Way: Perfect record. / No mistakes.
18. Clean record
Meaning: No bad actions or trouble.
Samples: He has a clean record at school. / The driver has a clean record with no accidents.
To Put it Another Way: No trouble or bad marks. / Good behavior history.
19. Clean as a whistle
Meaning: Something perfectly clean or honest.
Samples: The car was clean as a whistle after washing. / She gave a clean-as-a-whistle answer to the question.
To Put it Another Way: Totally clean or honest. / Spotless and pure.
20. Clean the slate
Meaning: To erase past mistakes and start fresh.
Samples: The teacher cleaned the slate after the test. / I want to clean the slate and try again.
To Put it Another Way: Forget past errors. / Start over fresh.
21. Clean energy
Meaning: Energy that does not pollute or harm the environment.
Samples: Solar panels use clean energy from the sun. / Wind power is a type of clean energy.
To Put it Another Way: Safe and pure power. / Energy that is good for nature.
22. Clean as a pin
Meaning: Very clean and neat.
Samples: Her room was clean as a pin after she cleaned all day. / The windows were clean as a pin and shiny.
To Put it Another Way: Perfectly clean. / Neat and spotless.
23. Clean the air
Meaning: To clear up a problem by talking about it.
Samples: We cleaned the air after our argument. / The class cleaned the air by sharing feelings.
To Put it Another Way: Fix a problem by talking. / Make peace after a fight.
24. Clean as a whistle
Meaning: Perfectly clean or honest.
Samples: His hands were clean as a whistle after washing. / The plan was clean as a whistle, with no mistakes.
To Put it Another Way: Spotless and pure. / Honest and clear.
25. Clean break
Meaning: A quick and full ending to something.
Samples: She made a clean break from the old team. / We had a clean break from the argument.
To Put it Another Way: Clear and fast ending. / Start fresh after ending.
26. Clean-cut
Meaning: Neat and well-kept in appearance.
Samples: He looked clean-cut with his haircut and clothes. / The student had a clean-cut look for the play.
To Put it Another Way: Neat and tidy. / Well-groomed.
27. Clean hands
Meaning: Being honest and not guilty.
Samples: She kept her clean hands during the test. / The player had clean hands in the game.
To Put it Another Way: Honest and innocent. / Not involved in bad things.
28. Clean sweep
Meaning: Winning everything or removing all problems.
Samples: Our team made a clean sweep at the contest. / We made a clean sweep of the mess in the classroom.
To Put it Another Way: Total win. / Everything cleaned or gone.
29. Clean bill of health
Meaning: Being told something is healthy or problem-free.
Samples: The doctor gave me a clean bill of health after my checkup. / The bike got a clean bill of health from the mechanic.
To Put it Another Way: Good health report. / No problems found.
30. Clean as a whistle
Meaning: Something very clean or honest.
Samples: The table was clean as a whistle after we wiped it. / The story was clean as a whistle, with no lies.
To Put it Another Way: Very clean or honest. / Spotless and pure.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Clean
Last weekend, Emma’s family decided to clean out the garage. It was full of old boxes and forgotten toys. Emma wanted to start fresh, so she said, “Let’s make this a clean slate!” Her brother smiled and agreed.
While they worked, their mom reminded them to keep their hands clean and not touch the dusty boxes without gloves. Emma found an old soccer ball that looked clean as a whistle after she wiped it.
After hours of cleaning, the garage looked like a clean-cut space ready for new fun. Emma felt proud because they had made a clean sweep of the mess. Her dad said, “This is a clean break from last year’s clutter.”
Later, Emma’s teacher praised her for turning in a clean sheet on her science project. Emma smiled, knowing she had a clean conscience about her hard work.
Your task:
Read the story again and underline or list the 8 idioms about clean you found.
Answer Key
- Clean slate
- Clean hands
- Clean as a whistle
- Clean-cut
- Clean sweep
- Clean break
- Clean sheet
- Clean conscience
Conclusion
Idioms about clean help us talk about neatness, honesty, and fresh starts in fun ways. These phrases make everyday language more interesting and easier to understand. By learning these idioms, you can explain your ideas better and sound more natural when you speak or write.
Remember, using idioms like clean slate or clean hands can show how you feel or what you mean without using many words. Knowing these idioms will help you in school and in conversations with friends and family.
