| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Clean. | | |
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Free from blame or fault. | 1 |
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“Ye are clean, but not all.”—John xiii. 10. |
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BILL. To show a clean bill of health. (See page 135, col. 1, BILL OF HEALTH.) | 2 |
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BREAST. To make a clean breast or Make a clean breast of it. To make a full and unreserved confession. | 3 |
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HANDS. To have clean hands. To be quite clear of some stated evil. Hence “clean-handed.” | 4 |
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To keep the hands clean. Not to be involved in wrong-doing. | 5 |
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HEART. To have a clean heart. A righteous spirit. | 6 |
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“Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit within me.”—Psalm li. 10. |
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HEELS. To show a clean pair of heels. To make one’s escape, to run away. Here “clean” means free from obstruction. | 7 |
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“The Maroons were runaway slaves who had … . shown their tyrants a clean pair of heels.”—Sala. |
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LIFE. To live a clean life. Blameless and undefiled. | 8 |
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TONGUE. A clean tongue. Not abusive, not profane, not foul. | 9 |
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