PhrasesHub

Clean Bill of Health

    Definitions

      • confirmation of good health
        To indicate that someone or something has been deemed to be in good health or condition

      • approval or endorsement
        To signify that someone or something has been given a favorable assessment or evaluation

    Examples of Clean Bill of Health

    • After undergoing a thorough medical examination, the doctor declared Sarah to have a clean bill of health.

      This idiom is used when someone's health is confirmed to be in good condition after a medical evaluation. It comes from the historical practice of doctors issuing a written document, called a bill of health, to certify that a person was free from contagious diseases and was allowed to travel or engage in commerce.

    • The company's financial report showed a clean bill of health, indicating no major financial issues or liabilities.

      This example expands the use of this idiom to include non-medical contexts. It implies that a thorough examination or review has confirmed the absence of any major issues or problems.

    • The car passed its emissions test with flying colors, so the mechanic gave it a clean bill of health.

      This example shows that the idiom can also be used to describe the condition of non-living things, such as vehicles or equipment. It implies that a thorough inspection has revealed that the object is functioning properly and efficiently.

    • The grades on my assignments this semester have been excellent, and I've been able to maintain a clean bill of health in terms of my academic performance.

      This example brings a new and unique perspective to the idiom, as it relates to academic or personal performance. It implies that one has been successful in achieving a desired standard or outcome, without any major errors or setbacks.

    • After weeks of feeling sick and run-down, I finally received a clean bill of health from my doctor. She ran all the necessary tests and declared me healthy and free from any illnesses.

      This idiom refers to a medical term "bill of health," which is a document provided by a doctor stating the patient's overall health status. A clean bill of health signifies that the person is in good health and has no health concerns or diseases present.

    • The athlete was ecstatic to hear that he received a clean bill of health from the medical team. After a long and rigorous training season, he was cleared to compete in the upcoming championship without any physical restrictions.

      Here, the use of the idiom highlights the importance of being medically fit and healthy to perform at one's best, especially in high-performing sports or activities.

    • The company's financial statements revealed a clean bill of health, which was a huge relief for the shareholders. With no financial discrepancies or irregularities found, the company's reputation stayed intact, and investor confidence remained strong.

      This idiom is used to refer to the financial health of a business or individual's finances. A clean bill of health signifies that there are no financial liabilities, debts, or fraudulent activities associated with it.

    • The organization received a clean bill of health from the government inspection team. After scrutinizing all the necessary documents and reviewing the facilities, the inspectors concluded that the organization complied with all the regulatory requirements and had no unsafe or unhealthy conditions present.

      This idiom is often heard in reference to organizations dealing with health, safety, and environmental issues. A clean bill of health represents the organization's compliance with the necessary standards and ensures that it poses no harm to the workforce, customers, or the environment.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "clean bill of health" is used to convey the idea of being in good health or receiving a positive assessment. It can be applied to both people and things, indicating that they are free from any negative issues or concerns. This idiom is often used in medical contexts to indicate that a person has been confirmed to be in good health, but it can also be used more broadly to signify approval or endorsement in other areas.

    Origin of "Clean Bill of Health"

    The origin of the idiom "clean bill of health" can be traced back to the practice of issuing documents to ships in the 17th century. A "bill of health" was a certificate issued by a port authority to indicate that a ship and its crew were free from contagious diseases. The term "clean" was later added to emphasize the absence of any health issues. Over time, the idiom came to be used figuratively to denote a positive assessment of health or condition in general. Today, it is commonly used in everyday language to convey the idea of being in good health or receiving a favorable evaluation.

    Examples:

    • After a thorough check-up, the doctor gave me a clean bill of health.
    • The project received a clean bill of health from the review board, indicating its success and good condition.