legally clean

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "legally clean" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is free from legal issues or complications, often in the context of property, contracts, or business dealings. Example: "Before purchasing the property, we need to ensure that it is legally clean and free from any liens or disputes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

By clean, I mean legally clean.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Make sure squirrel meat and other game is obtained from a reputable source that hunted it legally and cleaned it properly.

WikiHow

Ms. Krueger said the lack of a state definition about what qualifies as hazardous mold and what steps are legally required to clean it up were regulatory gaps that the task force needed to address.

The New York Times

Moreover, he says, in the absence of standards for the cleanup of contaminated sites and limits for the disposal of wastes on land, polluters are not legally bound to clean up a site unless ordered by judicial intervention to do so.

Environmental Health Perspectives

They propose litigation to hold the tobacco industry legally responsible for clean-up and nuisance costs associated with their products, advocating the use of labels on cigarette packages about the toxicity of discarded butts, and a deposit-return scheme similar to that used for glass and metal beverage containers.

The Guardian

This could make Beatport a bridge between the squeaky clean legal fare on Spotify's well-designed app, and the long-tail of legally gray remixes and mixsets on SoundCloud's clunky service.

TechCrunch

When EPA finally blew the whistle on pollutants like mercury, coal ash and particulates that legally should have been cleaned up in the decades from 1977 to 2008, the bill for upgrading old coal no longer made sense -- even as the bill for deploying new coal had already gone through the roof.

Huffington Post

The government's "back to work" schemes, which were challenged by a graduate who was made to work for free at Poundland and an HGV driver made to clean furniture, were legally flawed, the UK's highest court has ruled.

The Guardian - Business

They deny that the ponds are part of the bay and legally protected by the federal Clean Water Act.

Huffington Post

His decision to clear tents and sleeping bags out of Zuccotti Park, the focal point of the protests, and have the area cleaned, was justifiable legally.

The New York Times

At the Paris climate talks in December, administration officials, who should have known better, spent considerably energy assuring anyone who would listen that the clean power plan was legally unassailable".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "legally clean" to describe something that is free from legal issues or complications, such as a property title or a person's record. For example: "Before purchasing the property, we need to ensure that it is "legally clean" and free from any liens or disputes."

Common error

While "legally clean" is understandable, more formal and precise language might be preferable in legal documents or business contracts. Instead of "legally clean", consider using phrases such as "free from legal encumbrances" or "legally compliant" for greater clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legally clean" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes something (a person, a document, a situation) as being free from legal issues or complications.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "legally clean" is a relatively uncommon but correct way to describe something that is free from legal issues. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It's most frequently used in news and media contexts, though it can also appear in more general discussions. While understandable, it's crucial to select the most appropriate and precise language for formal settings, such as legal documents, where alternative phrases might be more suitable. Consider options like "legally compliant" or "free from legal encumbrances" in professional contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

legally compliant

Focuses on adherence to legal requirements.

free from legal issues

Emphasizes the absence of legal problems.

lawful and unblemished

Highlights both legality and a lack of negative marks.

legally sound

Stresses the robustness and validity from a legal perspective.

above board legally

Indicates transparency and legal legitimacy.

legally permissible

Indicates that something is allowed by law.

within legal bounds

Suggests action or status is within the confines of the law.

clear of legal encumbrances

Focuses on being free of legal burdens or obstacles.

legally unobjectionable

Implies that there are no legal grounds for objection.

legitimate and lawful

Combines the concepts of legitimacy and legality.

FAQs

How can "legally clean" be used in a sentence?

You might say that a person who has no criminal record is "legally clean", or that a piece of property with no outstanding liens has a "legally clean" title.

What are some alternatives to saying "legally clean"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "legally compliant", "free from legal issues", or "legally sound".

Is it better to say "legally clean" or "legally compliant"?

"Legally compliant" often refers to adherence to specific regulations, while "legally clean" suggests a general absence of legal problems or encumbrances. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What does it mean for a background check to come back "legally clean"?

It means that the individual has no criminal record or other legal issues that would disqualify them from a particular job or activity.