show a clean pair of heels
To run away; to make an escape quickly.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The thief showed a clean pair of heels when the police arrived.”
“As soon as the alarm sounded, the intruder showed a clean pair of heels and vanished into the night.”
“Realizing his deception was about to be exposed, the swindler showed a clean pair of heels before the authorities could apprehend him.”
- 01
bring to heel
To compel someone to obey; to force someone into a submissive condition.
- 02
clean as a hound's tooth
Very clean.
- 03
clean as a whistle
Very clean.
- 04
clean break
The complete termination of a relationship, or an exit from a situation.
- 05
clean hands
Freedom from guilt, especially from the guilt of dishonesty in money matters, or of bribe-taking.
- 06
clean money
Money that is legally or honestly gained or earned.
- 07
clean someone's clock
To defeat someone decisively, in a physical fight or other competition or negotiation.
- 08
clean up
To become clean, handsome, smart in appearance, e.g. for a special occasion, especially when it is out of character to be seen as such.
Last updated August 10, 2026