have clean hands

have clean hands

To be innocent; to be free of any wrongdoing. I swear, I have clean hands—I had nothing to do with that robbery. We kept you in the dark about the deal so you would always have clean hands in case things went wrong.
See also: clean, hand, have
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

have clean hands

Fig. to be guiltless. (As if a guilty person would have dirty or bloody hands.) Don't look at me. I have clean hands. The police took him in, but let him go after questioning because he had clean hands.
See also: clean, hand, have
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

clean hands, have

Be innocent or guiltless, as in John's got clean hands; he had nothing to do with it. It is sometimes worded as one's hands are clean, meaning "one has done nothing wrong," as in Don't look at me-my hands are clean. This metaphor for freedom from wrongdoing dates back to at least 1600.
See also: clean, have
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

have clean hands (or keep your hands clean)

be uninvolved and blameless with regard to an immoral act.
See also: clean, hand, have
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

have clean ˈhands

,

your hands are ˈclean

not be responsible for crime, dishonesty, etc: After years of corrupt government, we want politicians with clean hands.
See also: clean, hand, have
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • clean hands, have
  • swear down
  • swear
  • framing
  • frame (one)
  • frameup
  • frame-up
  • innocent
  • innocent as a lamb
  • (as) innocent as a lamb
References in periodicals archive
Rob Bradley, R-Orange Park, heard Lindsey's testimony, and reiterated: "We don't have clean hands as a state.
Bill would abolish 'clean hands' provision: wrongly incarcerated with prior felonies could still be compensated
This year's campaign really emphasises this and aims to make everybody aware of how important it is to have clean hands.
Chief is handy for support