Verbal Ability - Idioms and Phrases - Discussion

The word "clean" means to make it pure, erase, wipe out so in the given option "To confess without of reserve" - the word confess means to come out with the truth and come clean of without being party to any crime or hidden incidents. Hence the word "clean" interacts with the word "confess".

Many a times we have heard a dialogue in Hollywood serials or movies. "He has come clean" means he has either confessed of his crimes without any pressure or he has confessed to the jury or the cops about being an accomplice.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines the noun breast as 'the two soft protuberances situated on the thorax in females'. The meaning used in 'make a clean breast of it' is an earlier and less literal one. The 'breast' there is the seat of the one's emotions and secrets; one's 'heart'. "To make a clean breast of" means to speak openly and honestly about something that has previously been lied. Eg: The judge will give the convict a lighter sentence if he makes a clean breast of his involvement with the crime.

The idiom "to make a clean breast of something" means to confess or disclose something openly and honestly, usually a secret or wrongdoing. It implies admitting a mistake or revealing information previously kept hidden.

Example:

After weeks of guilt, Sarah decided to make a clean breast of her actions and confessed to her involvement in the prank.

In this context of the above example, making a clean breast involves openly admitting to the prank and not keeping it a secret any longer.

To tell the truth about something, especially something bad or illegal that you have done, so that you do not have to feel guilty any more After months of lying about the money, I decided to make a clean breast of it and tell the truth.

The word "clean" means to make it pure, erase, wipe out so in the given option "To confess without of reserve" - the word confess means to come out with the truth and come clean of without being party to any crime or hidden incidents.

To make a full confession: "The judge will give the convict a lighter sentence if he makes a clean breast of his involvement with the crime."

It means if you have done some immoral or evil thing, then you live with a guilt ! and to take off that guilt out of your mind is what it means!

To tell the truth about something that you have done. Bad or illegal works so that yo do not feel guilty. About that works is done bye you.

To tell the truth about something, especially something bad or illegal that you have done, so that you do not have to feel guilty any more.

It means to tell the truth about something.

Example: Julia finally made a clean breast of it and admitted that she had stolen the money.