Definition

1. Noun:
   • A formal statement or official report that declares a person, organization, or thing is healthy, safe, or functioning correctly, with no problems found. It is an assurance that someone or something is in a satisfactory condition.

Usage

• The phrase is most commonly used in medical contexts but is frequently extended metaphorically to other areas like business, finance, or machinery.
• It is typically used with verbs like give, get, receive, or have.
• It is almost always preceded by the indefinite article "a" (a clean bill of health).

Examples

• Medical Context:
  • After a thorough check-up, the doctor gave him a clean bill of health.
  • She was relieved to get a clean bill of health from her cardiologist.
• Metaphorical/Other Contexts:
  • The financial auditor gave the company's accounts a clean bill of health.
  • The safety inspector issued a clean bill of health for the building after the renovations.
  • My old car passed its MOT test and received a clean bill of health.

Advanced Usage

• "To be given a clean bill of health": This passive construction is very common and emphasizes the action of receiving the assurance from an authority.
  • The software was given a clean bill of health by the security team.
• The phrase implies a prior examination or inspection. The "clean" result means no issues (or "dirt") were found.

Variants and Related Words

• All-clear (n): A signal or report indicating that danger has passed or no problems exist. (e.g., )
• Certification (n): Official documentation attesting to a status or standard. (More formal and broad.)
• Approval (n): The action of officially agreeing to or accepting something. (Less specific to health/condition.)

Synonyms

• Clearance
• Endorsement (of good condition)
• Favorable report
• Passing grade/mark

Antonyms

• Negative diagnosis
• Failing grade/mark
• Condemnation report
• Red flag

Related Idioms

• To get the green light: To receive permission to proceed. (Focuses on permission rather than a statement of condition.)
  • The project got the green light from management.
• To pass with flying colors: To succeed easily and excellently, especially in a test.
  • She passed her driving test with flying colors.

Noun

1. an assurance that someone is healthy or something is in good condition
   • the doctor gave him a clean bill of health