a clean sheet
clean sheet
1. An opportunity to start fresh despite past mistakes or problems. I know we've had our differences, but I'd like to repair our friendship. Can we start with a clean sheet?
2. In sports, a game or series of games in which one side wins with the opposing side(s) being unable to score any points. Primarily heard in UK. The football team has kept a clean sheet for the last three games. I don't think anyone can score against them!
See also: clean, sheet
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
a clean sheet
1. If you start something with a clean sheet, you start it again, with none of the problems or mistakes from the past. The Christmas break has allowed the Government to start the new year with a clean sheet. Given a clean sheet, what would you do? Note: You can also use the full expression a clean sheet of paper. We started with a clean sheet of paper, having put the past behind us.
2. In a football match, if a team keeps a clean sheet, no goals are scored against them. If Ipswich keep a clean sheet tonight, it will be their 27th of the season.
See also: clean, sheet
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
a clean sheet (or slate)
an absence of existing restraints or commitments. 2003 Guardian Given a clean slate and an impressive budget, I would love to programme a festival…that exposed audiences to completely new forms of music-making at their best and most diverse.
See also: clean, sheet
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
a clean ˈsheet/ˈslate
a record of your work or actions that does not show any mistakes or bad things that you have done: At the new school, you will start with a clean slate. They kept a clean sheet in the match (= no goals were scored against them).See also: clean, sheet, slate
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- a clean sheet/slate
- clean sheet
- clean slate
- start (off) with a clean slate
- start with a clean slate
- get a fresh start
- have a fresh start
- make a fresh start
- fresh start
- a head start