English idiom

come clean

Register · Informal CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

to confess the truth about something previously hidden or denied

Why this phrase?

Honesty is pictured as moving from a morally stained or concealed state into cleanliness.

Example

“He finally came clean about breaking the camera.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

get something off your chest

To finally say something that has been worrying you, so you feel relieved.

let the cat out of the bag

To reveal a secret, usually by mistake.

pull someone's leg

To tease or joke with someone by telling them something untrue in fun.

spill the beans

To reveal a secret, often accidentally.

behind the scenes

happening privately or secretly, not in public view

call a spade a spade

to speak plainly and directly, even bluntly

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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