spic and span

spick and span

Totally clean and/or organized. I plan to spend the day cleaning so that this place is spick and span when my mother-in-law arrives.
See also: and, span
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

spic and span

Neat and clean. A “spick” was a nail (as in “spike”), “span” was a wood shaving, and a new wooden object had shiny spicks in it and fresh spans around it. Over the years the meaning of newness was replaced by that of something fresh and clean (as a new object usually was).
See also: and, span, spic
Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price
See also:
  • spic
  • spick and span
  • 24
  • there are only 24 hours in a day
  • study up on
  • study up on (someone or something)
  • laugh on the other side of (one's) face
  • laugh on the other side of (one's) mouth
  • laugh on the other side of your face
  • be laughing on the other side of your face
References in periodicals archive
The whole objective of Spic and Span is to uplift those around us as we grow the company.
What infrastructure does Spic and Span employ to support its diverse range of workers?
Singaporean cleaning firm Spic and Span provides career progression opportunities for the disadvantaged
Spic and Span, an all purpose cleaning product, was invented in the 1930s and acquired by P&G in 1945.
As We Go To Press
Mr Jones, who runs Spic and Span Supplies, is excited about the prospect of meeting up with his old shipmates.
Shipmate found for reunion; HUNT FOR SAILOR ENDED AFTER APPEAL SUCCESS
In the Great Plains, he declares that the poor people's houses "needed paint," as though the tenants might not have priorities more pressing than keeping their outer walls spic and span; he also notes the appliances that "littered" their yards, apparently unaware that this is not slovenliness but economic sense.
An Empire Wilderness: Travels into America's Future
It goes without saying that the plant should be "spic and span." Equipment should be in running order and factory personnel should be ready for visitors.
Well-run plant tours build strong customer relations
Teams of street cleaners have been out and about ensuring everything is spic and span ahead of Friday's ceremony, with pavements ordered to be gleaming for the Royal couple following their Westminster Abbey marriage.
Stay safe on big day
Laura Hayhurst, 22, teacher, Low Fell, said: My house is always tidy and I like to make sure it's spic and span so I think it's right.
YOUR SAY: DO you think North East homes are the cleanest in Britain?
He added: "People are out at 7am each morning keeping the place spic and span.
No trash nets town pounds 10k cash
In addition to his own expertise as a leading retail industry strategist and innovator, McClain can draw upon the resources of Carrafiello Diehl & Associates Inc., a leader in branding and consumer product marketing for Whitehall-Robins Healthcare's Centrum, Caltrate and Fibercom brands; GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare's Sensodyne, and Spic and Span Co.'s Spic and Span as well as such destination and store brands as Cottontails, Baby Basics, Adorables and White Cloud.
Alaris helps chains build store brands. (Merchandising)