spick-and-span

American  

[spik-uhn-span] / ˈspɪk ənˈspæn /

adjective

1. spotlessly clean and neat.

   a spick-and-span kitchen.

2. perfectly new; fresh.

---

adverb

1. in a spick-and-span manner.

spick-and-span British  

/ ˈspɪkənˈspæn /

adjective

1. extremely neat and clean

2. new and fresh

---

spick and span Idioms  

1. Neat and clean, as in When Ruth has finished cleaning, the whole house is spick and span. This term combines two nouns that are now obsolete, spick, “a nail” or “spike,” and span, “a wooden chip.” In the 1500s a sailing ship was considered spick and span when every spike and chip was brand-new. The transfer to the current sense took place in the mid-1800s.

---

Etymology

Origin of spick-and-span

1570–80; short for spick-and-span-new, alliterative extension of span-new

Example Sentences

None of these adjustments would entail an overwhelming commitment to being spick-and-span, and will go a long way toward making you feel like the bed belongs to both of you and not just him.

From Slate • Jul. 27, 2020

According to the outlet, 55 percent of respondents — who had all reportedly visited the chain within the last six months — agreed that the establishment was consistently the most spick-and-span.

From Fox News • Oct. 2, 2019

The World Economic Forum, the nonprofit business leadership foundation, occupies one of these buildings, its former mess hall now a spick-and-span meeting space.

From New York Times • Jun. 19, 2018

Using the right lens cleaner is only half the battle—you’ve got to use it with the right cloth to really get things spick-and-span.

From Slate • May 8, 2018

Snowberger’s was spick-and-span, shining in the warm September sun like a beacon in the Snapfinger countryside, calling one, calling all to gather together.

From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles

Related Words

• clean
• clean and tidy