English Reference
Idiom idiom

come clean


To confess; admit the truth.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

“It is time to come clean about what you did.”

CONTEXTUAL

“After the manager noticed the missing money, the employee decided to come clean and explain his mistake.”

COMPLEX

“Faced with undeniable evidence of his long-standing deception, the politician finally came clean to the public regarding his secret financial dealings.”


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    appetite comes with eating

    Starting an activity increases one's desire to continue it.

  2. 02

    as they come

    As it is possible to be.

  3. 03

    blow to kingdom come

    To totally destroy (something); to annihilate or wipe out (something).

  4. 04

    burn that bridge when one comes to it

    To anticipate dealing with a problem or situation either by acting in a manner that alienates or cuts ties with others, or merely with the expectation of encountering trouble.

  5. 05

    Christmas come early

    Something very delightful or fortunate that is happening or has happened, especially earlier than expected.

  6. 06

    clean as a hound's tooth

    Very clean.

  7. 07

    clean as a whistle

    Very clean.

  8. 08

    clean break

    The complete termination of a relationship, or an exit from a situation.

Last updated August 10, 2026