come clean about

USAGE SUMMARY

'come clean about' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an expression used to indicate that a person is being truthful and honest about something. For example, you might say, "I'm going to come clean about what happened last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We must come clean about this, though.

Independent

Companies rarely come clean about that.

The Guardian

No wonder Hezbollah has come clean about their involvement.

Independent

Neither main party has come clean about its intentions.

The Economist

"He has to come clean about his own taxpayer's subsidy.

The Guardian

Washington should come clean about its record first.

The Guardian

Except Mowlam never really did come clean about this.

The Guardian

O'Brien's going to come clean about The Soap? "M'lady.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

French politicians need to come clean about what needs to happen, and why.

The Economist

The Tories now need to come clean about what cuts they plan to make.

Independent

I decided to play it cool, to see if he would come clean about it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "come clean about" when you want to emphasize the act of revealing something that was previously hidden or গোপন. It suggests a sense of honesty and transparency.

Common error

Avoid using "come clean about" interchangeably with phrases like "bring to light", which focuses on uncovering information, not necessarily an admission of wrongdoing. "Come clean" always implies a personal confession.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "come clean about" functions as a verb phrase, typically followed by a noun or pronoun, indicating the subject of the revelation. It is used to express the act of confessing or admitting something previously hidden or denied. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "come clean about" is a versatile and frequently used expression that signifies the act of revealing previously hidden information or admitting to wrongdoing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and commonly employed across various contexts, particularly in news and media, but also relevant in more formal business settings. Its neutral register makes it appropriate for diverse audiences, while related phrases like "reveal the truth about" or "admit to" can provide nuanced alternatives depending on the specific message you aim to convey. Whether urging transparency or reporting on admissions, mastering the use of "come clean about" is essential for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reveal the truth about

Emphasizes the act of uncovering hidden information and making it known.

admit to

Focuses on acknowledging guilt or responsibility for something.

confess to

Implies a more formal or serious admission of wrongdoing.

disclose information about

Highlights the act of sharing previously private details.

be transparent about

Stresses openness and honesty in communication.

fess up to

Offers a more informal way of admitting fault or involvement.

own up to

Implies taking responsibility for an action or mistake.

make a clean breast of

A more idiomatic expression for confessing everything honestly.

tell the whole story about

Focuses on providing a complete and truthful account.

lay bare the facts about

Emphasizes the act of revealing all relevant details, often implying previously hidden elements.

FAQs

How can I use "come clean about" in a sentence?

You can use "come clean about" to describe someone admitting to something they were previously hiding, such as, "The politician had to "come clean about" his past financial dealings."

What does it mean to "come clean about" something?

To "come clean about" something means to be completely honest and transparent about it, often after a period of concealment or deception. It implies a willingness to reveal the truth.

What are some alternatives to "come clean about"?

Some alternatives to "come clean about" include "admit to", "confess to", or "reveal the truth about", depending on the specific context.

Is "come clean about" formal or informal?

"Come clean about" is generally considered a neutral to slightly informal expression, suitable for use in news articles, general conversation, and even some business contexts, depending on the company's culture. More formal settings might benefit from using "disclose information about".