Cleaning is an essential part of our daily lives, whether it’s at home, work, or in public spaces. While the act of cleaning itself may seem straightforward, there are many idioms and expressions in the English language that relate to this topic. From “clean as a whistle” to “sweep under the rug”, these phrases are used to describe everything from the level of cleanliness to the way people handle problems or responsibilities. In this article, we will explore some of the most common idioms and expressions related to cleaning and their meanings.
- Clean as a whistle – completely clean and free of dirt or other impurities.
Example: “After the maid finished, the house was clean as a whistle.” - Clean sweep – a complete and thorough cleaning or clearing of something.
Example: “The new manager made a clean sweep of the old stock and replaced it with new products.” - Clean house – to clean thoroughly and completely, often referring to a deep cleaning of a home or other space.
Example: “I need to clean house before my guests arrive.” - Clean up one’s act – to improve one’s behavior or performance, often in response to criticism or a negative situation.
Example: “After losing his job, John cleaned up his act and started taking responsibility for his life.” - Spring cleaning – a thorough cleaning of a home or other space, often done in the springtime.
Example: “I always do a spring cleaning of my house to get rid of clutter and refresh the space.” - Sweep under the rug – to hide or ignore a problem or issue rather than dealing with it directly.
Example: “Don’t just sweep the problem under the rug; we need to address it head-on.” - Scrub something down – to clean something thoroughly by scrubbing away dirt or grime.
Example: “I had to scrub down the kitchen counters after cooking a big meal.” - Wipe the slate clean – to forget past mistakes or wrongdoings and start fresh.
Example: “After their argument, they decided to wipe the slate clean and move forward with their relationship.” - Dust off – to clean something that has been unused or neglected for a period of time.
Example: “I need to dust off my old guitar and start practicing again.” - Polish something up – to make something shiny and clean by polishing it.
Example: “The butler polished up the silverware before setting the table for dinner.” - Mop up – to clean a surface using a mop or absorbent material to soak up liquid or dirt.
Example: “After the spill, we had to mop up the floor to prevent anyone from slipping.” - Clean slate – a fresh start or a new beginning without any negative history or baggage.
Example: “After her divorce, she wanted a clean slate and moved to a new city to start over.” - Neat and tidy – orderly and clean, often used to describe a well-kept home or workspace.
Example: “She always keeps her desk neat and tidy, with everything in its place.” - Deep clean – an intensive and thorough cleaning that reaches areas that are not typically cleaned in a regular cleaning routine.
Example: “The carpet hasn’t been cleaned in years, so we need to do a deep clean to get the dirt out.” - Clear the decks – to clear away any obstacles or clutter in order to make way for a new project or initiative.
Example: “Before starting the new project, we need to clear the decks and make sure everything is in order.” - Tidy up – to put things in order and clean up a space, often referring to a quick cleaning of a room or area.
Example: “Before the guests arrive, we need to tidy up the living room and make sure everything looks presentable.” - Janitorial duty – the responsibility of cleaning and maintaining a building, often referring to the work of a janitor or custodian.
Example: “As part of their job, the staff is expected to perform janitorial duty and keep the office clean.” - Sparkling clean – exceptionally clean and shiny, often used to describe a space or surface that has been recently cleaned.
Example: “After the housekeeper finished, the windows were sparkling clean and let in lots of natural light.” - Sweep away – to remove dirt, debris, or other unwanted material by sweeping it away with a broom or brush.
Example: “The wind swept away the leaves from the driveway, leaving it clean and clear.” - Dust collector – an object or space that accumulates dust and needs to be cleaned regularly.
Example: “The bookshelf is a dust collector, so I need to dust it off every week to keep it clean.”