clean sheet

British

noun

sport an instance of conceding no goals or points in a match or competition (esp in the phrase keep a clean sheet )

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Wolves match feels like a nailed-on clean sheet and, given their current defensive form, you're hoping they can keep Thiago and Brentford at bay too.

From BBC

He wasn't able to keep a clean sheet but that was because arguably the goal of the season got put past him.

From BBC

At the other end, Garcia earned his clean sheet with a good save to thwart Antonio Sanchez, before Bernal rounded off Barca's victory.

From Barron's

Instead it will be another Arsenal clean sheet - they have already kept 12 in their first 24 league games, two more than any other team.

From BBC

I don't think the Hammers will keep a clean sheet because they have had only one all season - the fewest by any top-flight team - but I don't see Burnley beating them.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023