Phrasal Verb - Coming Clean

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Definition

To 'come clean' means to confess to a past wrongdoing, secret, or lie, revealing the truth about something one has been hiding, often after a period of guilt, fear, or concealment. It implies admitting fault, being honest, and disclosing information that was previously kept secret, typically with the intention of alleviating a burden, facing consequences, or resolving a situation. This phrasal verb suggests a voluntary act of transparency, often prompted by conscience, external pressure, or the inevitability of the truth coming out, and it often leads to a sense of relief for the confessor, though it may also bring about difficult repercussions.

Examples

No.	Example
1	After weeks of speculation, the celebrity finally came clean about his secret marriage.
2	The detective encouraged the suspect to come clean and tell them everything he knew.
3	She felt an immense sense of relief after coming clean to her parents about dropping out of college.
4	It's better to come clean now than to let the lie fester and cause more damage later.
5	The company was forced to come clean about the hazardous waste disposal after the scandal broke.
6	He agonized for days, weighing the pros and cons of coming clean to his wife about his financial troubles.
7	If you don't come clean about your involvement, the blame might fall on someone innocent.
8	The politician eventually came clean about accepting illegal campaign contributions.
9	Coming clean required a lot of courage, but it was the right thing to do.
10	The therapist advised her client to come clean to her employer about the mistake she made.