keep one's nose clean

keep one's nose clean {v. phr.}, {slang}

To stay out of trouble; do only what you should do.

The boss said Jim could have the job as long as he kept his nose clean and worked hard.

The policeman warned the boys to keep their noses clean unless they wanted to go to jail.

Compare: STEER CLEAR OF (2).

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Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms

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nose

[nose] See: [COUNT HEADS] or [COUNT NOSES], [CUT OFF ONE'S NOSE TO SPITE ONE'S FACE], [FOLLOW ONE'S NOSE], [GO INTO A TAIL SPIN] or [GO INTO A NOSE DIVE], [HARD-NOSED], […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

clean

[clean] See: [COME CLEAN], [KEEP ONE'S NOSE CLEAN], [MAKE A CLEAN BREAST OF], [NEW BROOM SWEEPS CLEAN], [TAKE TO ONE'S HEELS] also [SHOW A CLEAN PAIR OF HEELS]. A Dictionary of American Idioms

come clean

[come clean] {v. phr.}, {slang} To tell all; tell the whole story; confess. * /The boy suspected of stealing the watch came clean after long questioning./ A Dictionary of American Idioms

clean up

[clean up] {v. phr.} 1. To wash and make oneself presentable. * /After quitting for the day in the garage, Tim decided to clean up and put on a clean […] A Dictionary of American Idioms

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