'Clean As a Whistle'

2023-06-04

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1
  • And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
  • 2
  • On this program we explore words and expressions in the English language.
  • 3
  • We give examples, notes on usage, and sometimes we use them in short conversations.
  • 4
  • What do you say when something is so spotless, so perfect, so new and so clean?
  • 5
  • In American English, we can say it is as clean as a whistle.
  • 6
  • We often use this expression to talk about our physical spaces.
  • 7
  • After we clean our office, we can say it is clean as a whistle. Our home can also be as clean as a whistle.
  • 8
  • If you have a car, the inside of it can be ... you guessed it! Clean as a whistle.
  • 9
  • But, it is harder to keep the outside of a vehicle clean as a whistle.
  • 10
  • As you might have noticed, sometimes we add "as" to the beginning, and sometimes we don't.
  • 11
  • We can use this expression to describe other things, too.
  • 12
  • For example, if you have never been in a car accident, you can say that your driving record is as clean as a whistle.
  • 13
  • If your school record is clear of any problems or issues, you can say it is as clean as a whistle.
  • 14
  • And if your elected leader is not involved in corruption or any other wrongdoings, you can say she is as clean as a whistle!
  • 15
  • Like many of our English expressions and idioms, the origin of clean as a whistle is unclear.
  • 16
  • Some word experts say it comes from the sound of a whistle, which is clear and sharp.
  • 17
  • Other experts suggest that clean as a whistle comes from drinking alcohol.
  • 18
  • When you finished your drink and your glass was empty, it was said to be clean as a whistle and needed to be refilled.
  • 19
  • Now let's hear the expression used between two friends.
  • 20
  • A: Did you hear about Wanda? She's been fired!
  • 21
  • B: Wanda? Are you sure? Her work record is as clean as a whistle.
  • 22
  • To my knowledge, she has never missed a deadline.
  • 23
  • And all her projects come in under budget.
  • 24
  • A: That's true. But she got caught working for another company.
  • 25
  • B: So. Many people have a second or even a third job.
  • 26
  • A: Yeah, but not at the same time. She was working her other job while getting paid by our company.
  • 27
  • B: Oh. That's different. How do people have the time and energy to even think about doing that?
  • 28
  • A: I don't know. I barely have the energy to finish my work for this job.
  • 29
  • And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories.
  • 30
  • Practice using this expression in your next English conversation.
  • 31
  • Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo.
  • 1
  • And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
  • 2
  • On this program we explore words and expressions in the English language. We give examples, notes on usage, and sometimes we use them in short conversations.
  • 3
  • What do you say when something is so spotless, so perfect, so new and so clean?
  • 4
  • In American English, we can say it is as clean as a whistle.
  • 5
  • We often use this expression to talk about our physical spaces. After we clean our office, we can say it is clean as a whistle. Our home can also be as clean as a whistle.
  • 6
  • If you have a car, the inside of it can be ... you guessed it! Clean as a whistle. But, it is harder to keep the outside of a vehicle clean as a whistle.
  • 7
  • As you might have noticed, sometimes we add "as" to the beginning, and sometimes we don't.
  • 8
  • We can use this expression to describe other things, too.
  • 9
  • For example, if you have never been in a car accident, you can say that your driving record is as clean as a whistle. If your school record is clear of any problems or issues, you can say it is as clean as a whistle. And if your elected leader is not involved in corruption or any other wrongdoings, you can say she is as clean as a whistle!
  • 10
  • Like many of our English expressions and idioms, the origin of clean as a whistle is unclear.
  • 11
  • Some word experts say it comes from the sound of a whistle, which is clear and sharp. Other experts suggest that clean as a whistle comes from drinking alcohol. When you finished your drink and your glass was empty, it was said to be clean as a whistle and needed to be refilled.
  • 12
  • Now let's hear the expression used between two friends.
  • 13
  • A: Did you hear about Wanda? She's been fired!
  • 14
  • B: Wanda? Are you sure? Her work record is as clean as a whistle. To my knowledge, she has never missed a deadline. And all her projects come in under budget.
  • 15
  • A: That's true. But she got caught working for another company.
  • 16
  • B: So. Many people have a second or even a third job.
  • 17
  • A: Yeah, but not at the same time. She was working her other job while getting paid by our company.
  • 18
  • B: Oh. That's different. How do people have the time and energy to even think about doing that?
  • 19
  • A: I don't know. I barely have the energy to finish my work for this job.
  • 20
  • And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories. Practice using this expression in your next English conversation.
  • 21
  • Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo.
  • 22
  • Anna Matteo wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English.
  • 23
  • __________________________________________________________________
  • 24
  • Words in This Story
  • 25
  • conversation - n. oral exchange of sentiments, observations, opinions, or ideas
  • 26
  • corruption - n. dishonest or illegal behavior especially by powerful people
  • 27
  • idiom - n. an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its separate words but must be learned as a whole
  • 28
  • origin - n. rise, beginning, or derivation from a source
  • 29
  • fired - v. dismissed or let go from a job
  • 30
  • __________________________________________________________________
  • 31
  • We want to hear from you. Do you have similar expressions in your language? In the Comments section, you can also practice using any of the expressions from the story.
  • 32
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  • 33
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