Come clean Meaning in English
expression
ˈkəm/ /ˈkɫin
KUHM-KLEEN
kˈʌm/ /klˈiːn
KUHM-KLEEN
Definition
To admit the truth, especially about something you were hiding or lying about.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and often used when encouraging honesty after deceit or secrets, especially about mistakes or wrongdoing. Usually followed by 'about' ('come clean about...'). Similar to 'confess' but less formal.
Spanish: confesar - decir la verdadPortuguese (BR): confessar - contar a verdadePortuguese (PT): confessar - dizer a verdadeChinese (Simplified): 坦白 - 招供Chinese (Traditional): 坦白 - 招供Hindi: सच बता देना - सच स्वीकार करनाArabic: يَعتَرِف - يبوح بالحقيقةBengali: সত্য স্বীকার করা - খোলাখুলি বলাRussian: признаться - рассказать правдуJapanese: 正直に話す - 白状するVietnamese: thú nhận - nói thậtKorean: 솔직하게 말하다 - 사실을 털어놓다Turkish: itiraf etmek - açıkça söylemekUrdu: سچ بول دینا - سچ اگل دیناIndonesian: jujur - mengaku
Example Sentences
It's time to come clean about what happened.
basic
If you made a mistake, just come clean.
basic
He decided to come clean to his parents.
basic
I wish you would just come clean—it’s obvious you know more than you’re saying.
natural
After days of lying, she finally decided to come clean about the accident.
natural
You’ll feel better if you come clean and stop worrying about being caught.
natural