make a clean breast of
Definition
Phrasal Verb: - To confess something fully and honestly: To admit to a wrongdoing, mistake, or secret without holding anything back.
Usage
This phrasal verb is used when someone decides to tell the complete truth about something they have done wrong or kept hidden. It implies a sense of relief or moral duty to unburden oneself by revealing everything. It is typically followed by the object of the confession (e.g., the crime, my lies, everything).
Examples
- After years of guilt, he decided to make a clean breast of his involvement in the scandal.
- She finally made a clean breast of her mistake to her manager.
- I advise you to make a clean breast of the affair before they find out from someone else.
Advanced Usage
- The phrase often carries a connotation of moral cleansing or psychological relief after the confession.
- It is frequently used in contexts involving personal relationships, legal matters, or ethical dilemmas.
Variants and Related Words
- Confess (verb): To admit that one has committed a crime or done something wrong.
- Own up (phrasal verb): To admit or confess to something.
- Come clean (idiom): To tell the truth about something one has been hiding.
Synonyms
- Confess
- Disclose
- Reveal
- Admit
- Own up
Related Idioms
- Come clean: To finally tell the truth about something.
- It's time to come clean about what happened.
- Spill the beans: To reveal secret information.
- Someone spilled the beans about the surprise party.
Verb
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admit or acknowledge a wrongdoing or error
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the writer of the anonymous letter owned up after they identified his handwriting
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