Definition

Noun: A fresh start; an opportunity to begin something again, having abandoned or disregarded previous problems, mistakes, or history.

Usage

This noun phrase is used to describe a situation where past errors, debts, or negative records are erased or ignored, allowing for a completely new beginning. It is often used with verbs like "get," "have," "offer," or "start with."

Examples

• After the bankruptcy, the company was able to get a clean slate.
• Moving to a new city gave her a clean slate to rebuild her life.
• The pardon offered the former prisoner a clean slate.
• Let's forget our past arguments and start with a clean slate.

Advanced Usage

• "to wipe the slate clean": This is a related verb phrase meaning to deliberately erase past faults or obligations to create a fresh start.
  • They agreed to wipe the slate clean and renew their friendship.

Variants and Related Words

• Fresh start (noun phrase): A very close synonym, emphasizing the new beginning.
• Tabula rasa (noun): A Latin term used in English meaning "blank slate," often used in philosophical contexts but sharing a similar core idea of starting from nothing.

Synonyms

• New beginning
• Fresh start
• Second chance

Related Idioms

• Turn over a new leaf: To start behaving in a better way. While similar, this idiom focuses more on personal reform, whereas "clean slate" focuses more on the state of the opportunity itself.
  • He decided to turn over a new leaf and be more responsible.

Noun

1. an opportunity to start over without prejudice