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keep nose clean

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keep one's nose clean

Fig. to keep out of trouble, especially trouble with the law. I'm trying to keep my nose clean by staying away from those rough guys. John, if you don't learn how to keep your nose clean, you're going to end up in jail.

See also: clean, keep, nose

keep your nose clean

to avoid trouble If he kept his nose clean, he could look forward to being promoted to vice president. Since being released from prison, Tim has kept his nose clean.

Opposite of: make waves Related vocabulary: don't rock the boat

See also: clean, keep, nose

keep your nose clean

to avoid getting into trouble or doing anything illegal I'd only been out of prison three months so I was trying to keep my nose clean.

See also: clean, keep, nose

keep (one's) nose clean

Informal

To stay out of trouble.

See also: clean, keep, nose