- Meaning
- This idiom advises someone to stay out of trouble, behave ethically, or avoid wrongdoing, often implying the need to maintain a good reputation or steer clear of risky behavior. It evokes the image of keeping one’s nose free of dirt or mess, symbolizing moral or social cleanliness. The phrase is used in personal, professional, or legal contexts to encourage upright conduct, carrying a tone of caution, mentorship, or friendly admonition. It reflects cultural values of integrity and social conformity, particularly in environments where reputation is paramount, such as workplaces or communities with strict norms. The idiom often carries a paternalistic or protective undertone, suggesting that avoiding trouble ensures safety and success, and resonates in settings where individuals face temptations or pressures to stray from the straight and narrow.
- Origin
- The phrase likely originated in late 19th-century Britain or America, tied to the metaphorical use of a ‘clean nose’ to signify innocence or propriety, possibly inspired by the literal act of keeping one’s face clean as a sign of respectability. An early use appears in an 1877 *New York Times* article, urging young workers to ‘keep their nose clean’ to avoid scandal. The idiom gained traction in the early 20th century, reflecting Victorian and Edwardian emphasis on moral conduct, as seen in Horatio Alger’s rags-to-riches stories, which champion virtue. Its use was amplified during the Prohibition era (1920–1933) in America, when ‘keeping your nose clean’ became slang for avoiding illegal activities like bootlegging, as documented in Damon Runyon’s crime stories. The phrase’s spread was fueled by its adoption in military and prison slang, where staying out of trouble was critical, and by mid-20th-century literature, such as J.D. Salinger’s *The Catcher in the Rye* (1951), which explores youthful rebellion and conformity. Its global reach grew through American media, particularly in British and Commonwealth English, and its vivid imagery, rooted in the tangible act of personal hygiene, combined with its applicability to ethical behavior, ensured its enduring use across English-speaking cultures, from parental advice to corporate ethics.
- Variants
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- Keep your nose clean
- Keep your nose out of trouble
- Stay clean-nosed
- Keep a clean nose
- Examples
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- Keep your nose clean at the new job—avoid office politics to stay out of trouble.
- Keep your nose out of trouble, and you’ll make it through probation without issues.
- Stay clean-nosed during the internship; a good reputation is everything.
- Keep a clean nose, kid, and steer clear of those shady deals.
- She kept her nose clean, avoiding the drama that derailed her colleagues.
- Keep your nose clean in college—partying too hard could cost you your scholarship.
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