- To confess something honestly, admitting to something that was previously hidden, denied, or lied about, often wrongdoing or an uncomfortable truth.
Explanation
Origin
- The exact origin is uncertain, but likely relates to the idea of becoming clean from guilt, deceit, or concealment.
- It implies removing the dirt of secrecy or lies to reveal the unblemished truth.
- Similar to coming clear of suspicion or making a clean breast of something (an older related idiom).
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Fess up
- Spill it / Spill your guts (Tell everything)
- Own up (to it)
- Cop to it (Admit, often to something minor)
- Level with someone (Be honest with them)
- Keep it real / Keep it 100 (Be honest)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- (Often relates to the *pressure* to confess): They finally squeezed the fucking truth out of him.
- (Or the confession itself): He admitted the whole damn thing.
Milder:
- Admit
- Confess
- Acknowledge
- Be truthful
- Disclose
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal to semi-formal.
- Used in personal situations, sometimes in legal or official contexts (e.g., a witness deciding to come clean).
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Could be taken literally as becoming physically clean. Emphasize that it means to confess or admit the truth.
Examples
- He finally came clean about cheating on the test.
- The politician had to come clean about the secret donations.
- After hiding it for weeks, she decided to come clean to her parents.
Dialogue
Friend 1: I accidentally broke your favorite mug, and I've been feeling terrible about not telling you.
Friend 2: Oh no! Well, I appreciate you coming clean about it. Honesty is important.
Friend 1: I'm really sorry. I'll buy you a new one.
Social Media Examples
- Post: Time to come clean: I ate all the cookies. Sorry roommates! #Confession #Guilty
- News Headline Summary: CEO forced to come clean about misleading investors. #BusinessScandal
- Advice Column Question: Should I come clean to my partner about my debt?
Response Patterns
- To someone confessing: Relief (Thanks for telling me.), understanding (I appreciate your honesty.), sometimes anger/disappointment (Why didn't you tell me sooner?).
- When hearing someone else confessed: Wow, really?, About time!, How did people react?
- When encouraging confession: Just come clean, it's better in the long run.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After someone comes clean:
- Ask for details: What exactly happened? / Why did you hide it?
- Discuss consequences: What happens now? / How are we going to deal with this?
- Offer forgiveness or support (if appropriate): Thank you for your honesty. Let's move forward.
If someone refuses to come clean:
- Apply pressure: We know you're not telling the truth.
- State consequences: If you don't come clean now, it will be worse later.
Conversation Starter
- No. Describes the act of confessing or is used to encourage confession.
Intonation
- Emphasis usually on come clean.
- It's time for you to COME CLEAN.
- Can be said gently encouraging confession, or sternly demanding it.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood. Fess up is more informal and perhaps slightly more common among younger people. Make a clean breast of it sounds older.
Regional Variations
- Common in all major English-speaking regions.