come clean
🚿 come clean
Concrete Meaning
To finally confess to a lie or admit that you have done something wrong, removing the burden of a secret.
💬 Context & Examples
Used when someone decides to stop lying and tells the truth, often because the guilt of the secret is too heavy to carry.
- "The politician finally had to come clean about the missing campaign funds."
- "I think it's time you come clean and tell the boss what really happened to the files."
🧠 Pattern Challenge
Test Yourself
Physically, how does a person feel after taking a hot shower to "come clean" from a day of working in thick mud?
Show Answer
They feel lighter, refreshed, and relieved of the heavy, sticky dirt.