come clean

You are wondering about the meaning of the phrase come clean, maybe you heard it in a TV show, movie or theater play. Although this idiom is not used very often, it enriches your capacity of expression and strengthens communication. In which case is the expression come clean used and what is its meaning?

Meaning of "come clean"

Meaning

The phrase ‘come clean’ is used to refer to when someone is being honest and confessing the truth. It is commonly used when someone has been caught in a wrong-doing and is trying to make amends by confessing, or when someone wants to reveal something that is otherwise hidden.

Etymology

The phrase ‘come clean’ is thought to have originated in the late 1800s, although its exact origin is unknown. It is thought to be derived from the phrase ‘to come clean of

• one’s

sins’ which was used in sermons in the same period. An alternative theory suggests that the phrase may have been derived from the phrase ‘come clean with’ which was used in the 1700s in reference to an obligation to settle a debt.

Usage

The phrase ‘come clean’ is generally used in casual conversation, typically when someone is trying to make amends and be honest about their actions. It is often used in the context of a confession or an apology. It is also used when someone wants to reveal something that was previously hidden. It can be used as a request for someone to be honest and open, or as an accusation if one suspects someone of being dishonest.

Example Sentences

• I know you've been lying about your whereabouts, so come clean and tell me the truth!
• If you want to make things right, you'll have to come clean about what really happened.
• I need you to come clean with me about what happened at the party last night.

Beyond the Literal: Figurative Language in Idioms

Idioms often use figurative language to convey a message that is not meant to be taken literally. For instance, the idiom "bite the bullet" means to endure a painful or difficult situation without complaint, while "hold your horses" means to be patient and wait. Other idioms, like "kick the bucket" or "pop your clogs," use euphemisms to talk about death.