a clean streak

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a clean streak" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a period of success or good fortune without any failures or mistakes. Example: "After several months of hard work, she finally achieved a clean streak in her sales performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It all happened when a few men repaired some copper roofing on the fifty-third story and washed a clean streak around it.

The New Yorker

£6, down from £8.98 Asda Dinner party 2010 Le Limoux, Château Rives Blanques Oak cask fermentation adds Burgundian-style complexity to this chardonnay with stonefruit richness and a clean streak of freshness.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

His death, after so many years of struggle, and so many years of sobriety, reminds us of Philip Seymour Hoffman, who died of a heroin overdose earlier this year after a similarly long clean streak.

Huffington Post

There is a growing squeaky-clean streak in hip-hop which has emerged in the wake of Chance the Rapper, who demonstrated just how profitable sheer good-naturedness could be.

The New Yorker

Macclesfield striker Jack Sampson went in goal for 86 minutes and kept a clean sheet to halt Dover's winning streak.

BBC

You know what cleans streaks and fingerprints and splatters off stainless steel in a jiffy?

The New York Times

Use a clean paper towel to wipe away any visible puddles or streaks of remaining oil.

WikiHow

Gently wipe the glass with a clean paper towel or microfiber cloth until it appears dry, transparent, and streak-free.

WikiHow

The hitting streak continued Monday when Garciaparra slashed a Roger Clemens fastball in the third inning for a clean hit.

The New York Times - Sports

They also recorded a club record low of three league defeats, and a club record home clean sheet streak of eleven matches, lasting from 7 September 1953 to 13 February 1954.

Wikipedia

Seven days later Vale's clean sheet streak came to an end, though they still secured a 2 1 victory over Chesterfield at Saltergate; Cyril Hatton was the scorer for Chesterfield, though it proved not enough to save his team's unbeaten home record.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase “a clean streak” to emphasize a period of uninterrupted success, particularly when highlighting an absence of negative events or failures.

Common error

Avoid using “a clean streak” when the context requires emphasizing moral purity rather than simply a series of successful events. In such cases, consider using alternatives like “a pure record” or “an unblemished reputation”.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a clean streak" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. It describes a period characterized by consistent success or an absence of negative incidents, as suggested by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a clean streak" is a noun phrase used to describe a period of consistent success or absence of negative events. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While relatively rare, its usage is found in news and media as well as wiki contexts. It serves to highlight achievement and consistency, and is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Consider related terms like "a winning streak" or "a flawless run" based on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a flawless run

Emphasizes the absence of errors, highlighting perfection in execution.

a winning streak

Focuses specifically on success in competitive scenarios.

an impeccable record

Highlights a history free of any blemish or fault.

a perfect score

Refers to achieving the highest possible mark in an assessment.

a spotless reputation

Indicates a character or image that is free from any scandal or wrongdoing.

a clean slate

Implies a fresh start, often after a period of difficulty or mistakes.

an unblemished performance

Similar to a flawless run, but often used in the context of artistic or athletic events.

a pure streak

Emphasizes moral or ethical purity, often used in religious or philosophical contexts.

a consistent success

Focuses on the continuous nature of achievement over a period of time.

a successful period

A more general term indicating a time of positive outcomes.

FAQs

How can I use "a clean streak" in a sentence?

You can use "a clean streak" to describe a period of consistent success or good behavior. For instance, "The team maintained "a clean streak" throughout the playoffs, winning every game".

What's a good alternative to "a clean streak"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a winning streak" (for competitive situations), "a flawless run" (for perfect execution), or "an impeccable record" (for a history without faults).

Is it appropriate to use "a clean streak" in formal writing?

Yes, "a clean streak" is generally appropriate for both formal and informal writing, as it's a common and easily understood phrase. However, in highly formal or academic contexts, consider whether a more precise term like "consistent success" might be more suitable.

How does "a clean streak" differ from "a winning streak"?

While both phrases denote a series of successes, "a winning streak" specifically refers to consecutive wins in a competitive setting, while ""a clean streak"" is broader and can refer to success in any area where negative outcomes are possible but absent. For example, a business might have "a clean streak" of profitable quarters, not necessarily involving competition.