keep one's nose clean
Avoid all trouble
To keep one's nose clean is to stay out of trouble, avoid wrongdoing, and maintain a good reputation.
The phrase often appears as advice or warning: Keep your nose clean and you'll be fine, He's kept his nose clean since getting out of prison.
It suggests actively steering clear of situations that could lead to problems.
- law-abidingFollowing established rules
- toe the lineAdhere to standards
- straight and narrowMorally correct conduct
- play by the rulesFollow accepted procedures
- carefulnessQuality of being thorough
stay out of trouble · compliant · integrity · circumspection · obedient · honesty · civic-minded · foresight · vigilance · uprightness · conscientiousness · prudence · virtue · responsible · self-control · walk the line · propriety · decency
keep one's nose cleanget into trouble
Incur negative consequences
cause trouble · stir up trouble · act up · misbehave · get one's hands dirty
keep one's nose cleanbreak the law
sin · transgress · go astray · fall from grace · cross the line
keeps, keeper, keepers, keeping, nosing, clean, cleans, cleaned, cleaning