Mr. Clean
Americannoun
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an actual or idealized person with an impeccable record, reputation, or image, especially a politician (sometimes used with Miss, Ms., or Mrs. instead of Mr. when referring to a female).
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such a person regarded as excessively virtuous; goody-goody (sometimes used with Miss, Ms., or Mrs. instead of Mr. when referring to a female).
Etymology
Origin of Mr. Clean
First recorded in 1970–75; popularized as the trademark of a liquid cleaner
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.
“You’ve got something on your shirt, Mr. Clean.”
From Literature
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During 18 years playing first base for the Dodgers and San Diego Padres, Garvey was known as “Mr. Clean” for his sweet-swinging home runs and his wholesome image.
From Los Angeles Times
In the late ’80s, at the end of his lengthy baseball career, it was revealed that Garvey—known then as Mr. Clean, ironically—was embroiled in multiple extramarital affairs and had also accumulated a staggering amount of debt.
From Slate
Now Mr Clean, as he's nicknamed, must get to work on the sweeping reforms he has promised.
From BBC
There may be tarnish on the Mr. Clean image.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.