clean slate
Beginning without baggage
A clean slate is a fresh start, free from the burden of past mistakes, debts, or obligations.
The image comes from writing slates that could be wiped clean and used again.
Someone given a clean slate has their record cleared: After serving his sentence, he hoped for a clean slate.
To start with a clean slate is to begin anew without prior baggage.
Opportunity to restart unburdened
- tabula rasaUnmarked mental starting point
- new chapterDistinct period starting now
- starting overBeginning again from scratch
- new leafReformed approach to life
rebirth · renewal · reinvention · new dawn · second chance · do-over · mulligan · reset
Formal clearing of guilt
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
- amnestyGroup pardon from authorities
- exonerationOfficial clearing of blame
acquittal · pardon · clemency · letting go · burying the hatchet · making amends · clearing the air · bygones
Rub to clean
- eraseRemove recorded marks
- formatArrangement and presentation style
- clearWithout obstruction or fog
- purgeEliminate unwanted elements
refresh · restore · factory reset · reinstall · reformat · initialize · system restore · hard reset
Barrier removed for entry
- possibilityState of being achievable
- potentialLatent capacity for development
- prospectPotential client or opportunity
- blank canvasUntouched painting surface
untapped potential · opening · doorway · springboard · launchpad · avenue · pathway · gateway
fresh start
Opportunity to restart unburdened
- tabula rasaUnmarked mental starting point
- new chapterDistinct period starting now
- starting overBeginning again from scratch
new leaf · rebirth · renewal · reinvention · new dawn · second chance · do-over · mulligan · reset · blank page
absolution
Formal clearing of guilt
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
- amnestyGroup pardon from authorities
exoneration · acquittal · pardon · clemency · letting go · burying the hatchet · making amends · clearing the air · bygones · reprieve
wipe
Rub to clean
purge · refresh · restore · factory reset · reinstall · reformat · initialize · system restore · hard reset · defragment
open door
Barrier removed for entry
- possibilityState of being achievable
- potentialLatent capacity for development
- prospectPotential client or opportunity
blank canvas · untapped potential · opening · doorway · springboard · launchpad · avenue · pathway · gateway · promise
- changechange, flux, transformation, metamorphosis, alteration
- fresh startfresh start, new beginning, starting over, do-over, restart
- resolutionslose weight, quit smoking, save money, eat healthy, get fit
- starting freshfresh start, starting point, square one, ground zero, baseline
- record clearingexpungement, sealed records, sealing, expunction, erasure
- initial conditionsstarting point, baseline, origin, default state, ground state
clean slatecriminal record
Log of past convictions
bad reputation · black mark · baggage · dark past · rap sheet
clean, cleaning, cleaned, unclean, slate, cleans, cleanser, cleanness, cleanup