come clean

Idioms  

1. Confess everything, as in If you come clean about what happened I will promise to keep it to myself. [Slang; early 1900s]

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Example Sentences

I also had to come clean with mom on what I did.

From Salon • Jul. 3, 2026

"It is time to come clean," Guterres said.

From Barron's • Jun. 23, 2026

We will come clean with our own views on these races: Whatever, man.

From Slate • Mar. 21, 2026

“I’d come clean with the voters about where we are fiscally.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 8, 2026

“Yes. But you have to come clean with your mom,” Grandma said.

From "From the Desk of Zoe Washington" by Janae Marks