What is the meaning of to make clean breast of?

: to speak openly and honestly about (something that previously has been lied about or kept secret) I decided to make a clean breast of it/things and admit that I was to blame.

What is the meaning of make clean?

Verb. 1. make clean - make clean by removing dirt, filth, or unwanted substances from; "Clean the stove!"; " The dentist cleaned my teeth"

What's the meaning of with open arms?

Definition of with open arms

: in a very kind and friendly way We were welcomed back with open arms.

Where did the phrase come clean come from?

To come clean means to confess one's mistakes or transgressions. This idiom originated in the very early 1900s in the United States, probably as a shorthand version of the phrase make a clean breast of it.

What is the meaning of the idiom a man of straw?

man of straw. noun. a person of little substance. Also called: straw man mainly US a person used as a cover for some dubious plan or enterprise; front man. a man who cannot be relied upon to honour his financial commitments, esp because of his limited resources.

? Make a Clean Breast of Meaning - Make a Clean Breast of Something English Idioms Explained

What does I smell a rat mean?

smell a rat. Suspect something is wrong, especially a betrayal of some kind. For example, When I didn't hear any more from my prospective employer, I began to smell a rat. This expression alludes to a cat sniffing out a rat. [

What is the meaning of can't cut the mustard?

To cut the mustard is “to reach or surpass the desired standard or performance” or more generally “to succeed, to have the ability to do something.” For instance, Beyoncé really cut the mustard in her new song.

What does spilling the beans mean?

Disclose a secret or reveal something prematurely, as in You can count on little Carol to spill the beans about the surprise. In this colloquial expression, first recorded in 1919, spill means “divulge,” a usage dating from the 1500s.

What does come clean with someone mean?

to tell the truth about something that you have been keeping secret: I thought it was time to come clean (with everybody) about what I'd been doing.

Has come full circle meaning?

Definition of full circle

: through a series of developments that lead back to the original source, position, or situation or to a complete reversal of the original position —usually used in the phrase come full circle.

Which is correct meaning of idiom a black sheep?

: a disfavored or disreputable member of a group.

What is the meaning of from hand to mouth?

Definition of hand-to-mouth

: having or providing nothing to spare beyond basic necessities a hand-to-mouth existence.

What does no backbone mean?

If you say that someone has no backbone, you think that they do not have the courage to do things which need to be done. You might be taking drastic measures and you've got to have the backbone to do that. Synonyms: strength of character, will, character, bottle [British, slang] More Synonyms of backbone.

What is the meaning of the idiom fight tooth and nail?

Engage in vigorous combat or make a strenuous effort, using all one's resources. For example, I'm going to fight tooth and nail for that promotion. This expression, with its allusion to biting and scratching, was first recorded in 1576.

What does it mean to have an AXE to grind?

A selfish aim or motive, as in The article criticized the new software, but the author had an ax to grind, as its manufacturer had fired his son. This frequently used idiom comes from a story by Charles Miner, published in 1811, about a boy who was flattered into turning the grindstone for a man sharpening his ax.

What is the meaning of the idiom to cry wolf?

to keep asking for help when you do not need it, with the result that people think you do not need help when you really need it: If you cry wolf too often, people will stop believing you. Faking & pretending. a wolf in sheep's clothing idiom.

How do I come clean?

What does clean mean slang?

nice, excellent, worthy of envy; "cool"; "tight"; "awesome"; etc. Her new car is clean! See more words with the same meaning: good, okay, cool, awesome, fun.

How do you use come clean?

1 The government should come clean about its plans. 2 I thought it was time to come clean about what I'd been doing. 3 I think you should come clean about where you were last night. 4 It would be better if you come clean about it and let her know what kind of man she is seeing.

What is the meaning of shedding crocodile tears?

to pretend to be sad or to sympathize with someone without really caring about them. He shed a lot of crocodile tears. He described the wrecking of the coal industry as `a dreadful thing to have to do'. Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary.

What does the idiom When Pigs Fly mean?

Definition of when pigs fly

—used to say that one thinks that something will never happen The train station will be renovated when pigs fly.

What means at sixes and sevens?

If you say that someone or something is at sixes and sevens, you mean that they are confused or disorganized. [informal]

What does Apple pie order idiom mean?

Definition of in apple-pie order

informal. : arranged neatly or perfectly : in perfect order Everything in the cupboard was (arranged) in apple-pie order.

What is the meaning of the idiom No dice?

No, certainly not; also, impossible. For example, Anthony wanted to borrow my new coat, but Mom said no dice, or We tried to rent the church for the wedding, but it's no go for the date you picked, or Jim asked Dad to help pay for the repairs, but Dad said no soap.

What does the idiom get down to brass tacks mean?

Definition of get down to brass tacks

: to start to discuss or consider the most important details or facts about something We finally got down to brass tacks and decided to work out a schedule for the project.