clean slate
The phrase "clean slate" symbolizes a fresh start, often used to signify an opportunity to begin anew without the burden of past mistakes or issues.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B2General
(idiomatic)A fresh start where past mistakes or problems are disregarded.
Example
- After the argument, they decided to wipe the slate clean and move forward.
C1Law
(formal)The process of expunging a criminal record, allowing an individual to start anew.
Example
- He applied for a clean slate to remove his minor offenses from his record.
B2Education
(informal)An opportunity for a student to start over without any prior disciplinary or academic issues.
Example
- Transferring to a new school gave her a clean slate to improve her grades.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "clean slate":
blank slateclean sweeptabula rasablank canvasclear the decksclean houseclean outclear outclean downspring cleaningzero outclean feedclean sheetclean upwipe outdeep cleansqueaky clean