Mr. Clean

American

noun

Informal.

an actual or idealized person with an impeccable record, reputation, or image, especially a politician (sometimes used with Miss, Ms., or Mrs. instead of Mr. when referring to a female).
such a person regarded as excessively virtuous; goody-goody (sometimes used with Miss, Ms., or Mrs. instead of Mr. when referring to a female).

Etymology

Origin of Mr. Clean

First recorded in 1970–75; popularized as the trademark of a liquid cleaner

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Mr. Clean is ‘retiring’ after 68 years on the job.

From MarketWatch

Over the summer, management had highlighted upgrades of a number of products, such as a stronger version of Mr. Clean cleaning sponges and new Oral-B power brushes.

From MarketWatch

“You’ve got something on your shirt, Mr. Clean.”

From Literature

During 18 years playing first base for the Dodgers and San Diego Padres, Garvey was known as “Mr. Clean” for his sweet-swinging home runs and his wholesome image.

From Los Angeles Times

In the late ’80s, at the end of his lengthy baseball career, it was revealed that Garvey—known then as Mr. Clean, ironically—was embroiled in multiple extramarital affairs and had also accumulated a staggering amount of debt.

From Slate

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023