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

Example Sentences

Britain needs an Italian-style campaign to restore mani pulite, “clean hands,” in public life.

From The Wall Street Journal

He came gently, with a soft tread and beautifully clean hands.

From Literature

He continued that the family "cannot be said to come to the court with clean hands", citing a "bombardment" of requests to enter Ms Higson's property.

From BBC

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

From Slate

Boluarte had insisted she entered government "with clean hands" and that she would "leave it with clean hands", claiming her Rolex was an old item that she bought with the proceeds of working since she was 18.

From BBC

Related Words

• fresh start