make a clean breast

短语

坦白

发音

UK /ˈmeɪk ə ˈkliːn bɹɛst/
AU
US /ˈmeɪk ə ˈklin bɹɛst/

词形变化

made a clean breast makes a clean breast 三单 makes a clean breast making a clean breast making a clean breast 现在分词 made a clean breast 过去式 made a clean breast 过去分词

释义与例句

v.
  1. 1.

    Often followed by of: to be honest about something; to confess.

    习语

词源

From the notion that secrets are figuratively hidden in the heart which is contained in the breast (“chest”), and that admitting them will cause the heart to become clean and pure.

来源：wiktionary