clean-handed
/'kli:n'hændid/
Definition
Adjective: 1. Free from guilt or wrongdoing; innocent: Describes a person who has not committed a crime or immoral act. 2. Having clean hands; morally pure: Describes a person whose actions are honest and not tainted by corruption or deceit.
Usage
The adjective "clean-handed" is used to describe a person's moral or legal innocence. It is often used in formal or literary contexts. * It typically follows a linking verb like be, feel, or remain. * It can be used attributively before a noun (e.g., a clean-handed official) but is more common in the predicate position.
Examples
- Despite the scandal, the investigation proved she was clean-handed. (Predicative use)
- He emerged from the long audit clean-handed and vindicated. (Predicative use)
- It is difficult to find a completely clean-handed politician in that system. (Attributive use)
Advanced Usage
- To come/emerge clean-handed: To be proven innocent after a period of suspicion or investigation.
- After a thorough review, the committee came out clean-handed.
- To keep one's hands clean: This related idiom means to avoid involvement in dishonest or immoral activities.
- He managed to keep his hands clean throughout the corrupt regime.
Variants and Related Words
- Clean hands (noun phrase): The state of being innocent or free from guilt, often used in legal or idiomatic contexts (e.g., ).
- Cleanhandedness (noun, rare): The quality or state of being clean-handed.
Synonyms
- Innocent: Not guilty of a crime or offense.
- Guiltless: Free from guilt; innocent.
- Blameless: Free from blame or responsibility for wrongdoing.
- Uncorrupted: Not influenced by or involved in corruption; morally pure.
Antonyms
- Guilty: Responsible for a specified wrongdoing.
- Culpable: Deserving blame.
- Corrupt: Willing to act dishonestly in return for money or personal gain.
Related Idioms
- To have clean hands: To be innocent or not involved in wrongdoing. This is the more common idiomatic expression from which "clean-handed" is derived.
- The judge insisted that all jurors must have clean hands regarding the case.
Adjective
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free from evil or guilt
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an innocent child
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the principle that one is innocent until proved guilty
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