propre comme un sou neuf

French

Etymology

Literally, “clean as a brand new penny”.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /pʁɔ.pʁə kɔ.m‿œ̃ su nœf/

Adjective

propre comme un sou neuf (plural propres comme des sous neufs)

  1. (simile) Very clean; squeaky clean; clean as a whistle

Usage notes

Only used in the physical sense of clean, never the moral one, which is carried by blanc comme neige.

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