Clean Slate

B1 8+

Pronunciation: /klin slet/

Definitions of clean slate

noun A clean slate is a metaphorical expression meaning to start fresh or anew without any preconceived notions or biases.

Example Sentences

A1 Starting a new job feels like having a clean slate.

A2 Moving to a new city gave me a clean slate to start over.

B1 After the divorce, she wanted a clean slate and decided to travel the world.

B2 The company decided to rebrand itself to create a clean slate in the market.

C1 The politician promised to start with a clean slate and address the issues of the past.

C2 The new CEO's arrival brought a sense of a clean slate for the struggling company.

Examples of clean slate in a Sentence

formal After serving his sentence, he was given a clean slate and allowed to start afresh.

informal I messed up my first attempt, but now I have a clean slate to try again.

slang I'm done with that toxic relationship, time for a clean slate.

figurative Starting a new job feels like having a clean slate to make a fresh start.

Grammatical Forms of clean slate

past tense

cleaned

plural

clean slates

comparative

cleaner slate

superlative

cleanest slate

present tense

clean slate

future tense

will have a clean slate

perfect tense

have cleaned slate

continuous tense

is cleaning slate

singular

clean slate

positive degree

clean slate

infinitive

to clean slate

gerund

cleaning slate

participle

cleaned slate

Origin and Evolution of clean slate

First Known Use: 1601 year
Language of Origin: English
Story behind the word: The term 'clean slate' originates from the practice of wiping clean a slate board used for writing, symbolizing a fresh start or a new beginning.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the term 'clean slate' has come to be used metaphorically to refer to starting anew without any past mistakes or burdens. It is commonly used in various contexts to indicate a fresh opportunity or a chance to begin again.