wipe clean
Scrub until spotless
To wipe clean is to remove all marks, residue, or content from a surface by wiping: She wiped the counter clean.
Figuratively, it means to erase completely—debts can be wiped clean, slates wiped clean for fresh starts, hard drives wiped clean of data.
The scandal wiped his reputation clean off the map.
- scrubClean by rubbing hard
- polishSmooth by rubbing
- eraseRemove recorded marks
- blank slateUnmarked starting point
- fresh startOpportunity to restart unburdened
spotless · cloth · rag · sponge · paper towel · gleaming · surface · soap · rinse · buff · sanitize · disinfect · slate · fresh · start · fingerprints · window · mirror
- cleanlinessdirty, neatness, wash up, filthy, tidiness
- wipes
- protective finishesstain guard, stain blocker, fabric protector, Scotchgard, waterproofing
metaphorical record/slate
wipe cleanhold accountable
Require someone to justify actions
keep score · remember · document · archive · log
wipe, clean, wiped, wiper, wipers, wiping, wipes, cleans, cleaned