clean hands
Free from guilt
Clean hands means freedom from guilt or wrongdoing, especially in a situation where others have acted improperly.
The phrase comes from the idea that dirty work leaves visible traces.
Someone who comes to court with clean hands has not engaged in misconduct related to the dispute.
More broadly, to have clean hands is to be blameless: Don't lecture me—your hands aren't clean either.
- guiltlessNot at fault
- clear conscienceFreedom from moral guilt
- pureUnmixed, without impurities
- hygienePractices maintaining cleanliness
- sanitationCleanliness for public health
integrity · honesty · good faith · innocence · by the book · blameless · spotless record · nothing to hide · righteousness · disinfectant · white gloves · absolution · wash · soap · Pontius Pilate · exoneration · transparency · accountability
- kids' healthhealthy habits, hygiene, nutrition, wellness, healthy eating
- hygiene remindershand sanitizer, tooth brushing, dental hygiene, personal hygiene, hygiene tips
- School Hygienehandwashing, dental hygiene, healthy habits, restrooms, soap dispensers
- cleanlinessdirty, neatness, wash up, filthy, tidiness
- hygienehygiene, handwashing, toothbrush, hand washing, sanitizer
- fairnessfair play, fair shake, fair treatment, fair and square, fair share
clean handstainted
Contaminated, made impure
complicity · culpability · guilt · blood guilt · involvement
clean, hands, cleaning, cleaned, unclean, cleanliness, cleans, cleansing, cleanser