come clean — to tell the truth about something that you have been hiding
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to tell the truth about something that you have been hiding
Pronunciation (IPA): /kʌm kliːn/
Example Sentences
- The politician came clean about taking bribes after the scandal broke.
- I can't keep this secret anymore - I have to come clean to my parents about failing the exam.
- My roommate came clean about eating my leftover pizza, but only after I found the empty box in his room.
come clean
VERB[/kʌm kliːn/]
to tell the truth about something that you have been hiding
someone telling the truth about something they have been hiding
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This phrase emerged in English as a metaphorical combination of two common words. 'Come' derives from Old English 'cuman', while 'clean' comes from Old English 'claene', meaning pure or unsoiled. The idiom developed to express the figurative sense of presenting oneself in a morally or truthfully 'clean' state, particularly through confession or honesty.
Breakdown
come (to arrive, to approach) + clean (free from dirt, pure, morally innocent). The phrase combines these two elements to create an idiomatic expression meaning to reveal the truth and thereby clear one's conscience.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The politician came clean about taking bribes after the scandal broke.”
“I can't keep this secret anymore - I have to come clean to my parents about failing the exam.”
“My roommate came clean about eating my leftover pizza, but only after I found the empty box in his room.”
“She came clean about her real age on her 30th birthday party.”
📚Related Words
Want to master 27,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.