Are you looking for a way to tell a friend they have to keep out of trouble? You could ask them to “keep their nose clean.”
This post explores the meaning and origin of the curious idiom “keep your nose clean” and shows you how to use the phrase in a sentence.
Meaning
“Keep your nose clean” is an American idiom that warns people to stay out of trouble and live a moral life.
The phrase represents the natural linguistic evolution of the significantly older British saying, “keep your hands clean.” This phrase has the same meaning.
“Keeping one’s nose clean” originally meant living a life as free of sin as possible. However, it has gradually come to be associated with criminals and drug users who attempt to stay on the right side of the law.
Example Usage
Would you like to use the idiom “keep your nose clean” in a sentence? Make sure you get it right and check these examples first:
- “James used to be a drug addict and burglar. He even robbed a liquor store once. He has done his time, though, and I assure you he is keeping his nose clean these days.”
- “Your first job is always the hardest. Do you want my advice? Do whatever the boss asks you and make sure it’s done right. Keep your nose clean and don’t stir up any trouble, and you’ll move up the ladder in no time.”
- “If you want to keep your nose clean, you must stop hanging out with those troublemakers. You know they’ll drag you down with them.”
Origin
The American idiom “keep your nose clean” originated in 18th century Britain as “keep your hands clean.”
The moral authorities of the time, the clergy, used this expression to encourage people to live morally — free from sin and corruption. While clergymen wouldn’t have dared to spell it out in the 1700s, “keeping your hands clean” was almost certainly a warning against masturbating.
One of the earliest references to “keeping one’s hands clean” dates back to 1711, when a series of sermons was published in a pamphlet titled The Golden Remains of the Ever Memorable Mr. John Hales. This booklet contained the following passage:
“...let him have all Graces that are, piety only excepted, let him wear out himself with Studies, pine himself with Temperance, keep his Hands clean from Corruption, his Heart from unchaste Desires.”
As expression emerged in the United States, “hands” were replaced with “nose.” This may be related to “sticking your nose in” or “being nosy,” meaning being excessively curious about other people’s affairs.
Being nosy can certainly cause trouble and controversy, which someone trying to keep their nose clean wants to avoid at all costs.
The phrase “keep your nose clean” is now strongly associated with ex-convicts, but it was not always that way. An 1881 reference from a newspaper called The Globe associated keeping one’s nose clean with attending Sunday school.
Phrases Similar to Keep Your Nose Clean
Instead of “keep your nose clean,” you can also say:
- Keep your head down.
- Stay out of trouble.
- Stay on the straight and narrow — meaning don’t break the law.
Phrases Opposite to Keep Your Nose Clean
The opposite of keeping your nose (or hands) clean would be:
- To dirty your hands — meaning to engage in illegal or immoral activities.
- To have a run-in with the law — getting caught committing a crime.
What Is the Correct Saying?
The correct saying is “keep your nose clean.” The phrase means staying out of trouble and living a moral life.
Ways People May Say Keep Your Nose Clean Incorrectly
Some people may associate the phrase “keep your nose clean” with cocaine use, given that users snort this drug and the idiom is closely tied to criminal behavior. However, the idiom predates cocaine and has a more general meaning.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Keep Your Nose Clean
You can ask someone who has been in trouble to make an effort to keep their nose clean. You could also tell people you are working hard to keep your nose clean.
Remember that “keep your nose clean” is often associated with crime. If you simply want to stay out of trouble, it is better to say that instead.