Make a clean breast of something
verb phrase
To confess or admit something, usually a wrongdoing or mistake.
He decided to make a clean breast of it and admit that he had been to blame.
Often appears as...
- make a clean breast of the truth
- make a clean breast of a lie
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
verb phrase
To confess or admit something, usually a wrongdoing or mistake.
He decided to make a clean breast of it and admit that he had been to blame.
Often appears as...
- make a clean breast of the truth
- make a clean breast of a lie
Usage tips
Disapproving
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Honest Admission
This phrase often implies owning up with honesty and sincerity, typically when under pressure or guilt.
After the interrogation, she decided to make a clean breast of everything.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Relief
People use this phrase to express the emotional relief felt after admitting something difficult.
Once I made a clean breast of my mistakes, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders.
Pro Tip 3/3Serious Contexts
The phrase is mostly used in serious or solemn contexts, not for trivial admissions.
In the face of the consequences, he made a clean breast of his actions.
Pro Tip 1/3Honest Admission
This phrase often implies owning up with honesty and sincerity, typically when under pressure or guilt.
After the interrogation, she decided to make a clean breast of everything.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Relief
People use this phrase to express the emotional relief felt after admitting something difficult.
Once I made a clean breast of my mistakes, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders.
Pro Tip 3/3Serious Contexts
The phrase is mostly used in serious or solemn contexts, not for trivial admissions.
In the face of the consequences, he made a clean breast of his actions.
Pro Tip 1/3Honest Admission
This phrase often implies owning up with honesty and sincerity, typically when under pressure or guilt.
After the interrogation, she decided to make a clean breast of everything.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Relief
People use this phrase to express the emotional relief felt after admitting something difficult.
Once I made a clean breast of my mistakes, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders.
Pro Tip 3/3Serious Contexts
The phrase is mostly used in serious or solemn contexts, not for trivial admissions.
In the face of the consequences, he made a clean breast of his actions.
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