clean hands

American  

noun

1. freedom from guilt, wrongdoing, or dishonesty; innocence; guiltlessness.

   He came out of the bribery investigation triumphantly when it was proved that he had clean hands.

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Etymology

Origin of clean hands

First recorded in 1590–1600

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

clean hands

Drizzle the seasoned butter mixture over the crackers, using a pastry brush or clean hands to make sure each cracker gets a little attention.

From Salon ● Jul. 14, 2026

And one of the fundamental rules of equity, as Sotomayor explains, is that you have to seek it with clean hands.

From Slate ● Jun. 24, 2025

Officials say it can be used only to clean hands if it’s completely unheated.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 31, 2025

Raffi Ivker, a Jewish student at George Washington University, said he believed neither side "has clean hands."

From Reuters ● Oct. 18, 2023

Then he looked down at his clean hands and was momentarily surprised to see the cloth he was holding in them.

From "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K. Rowling

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