English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Spick and span
Meaning
The idiom "spick and span" means clean, well-organized, and in good condition. It is often used to describe a room or house that has been thoroughly cleaned and tidied up.
Usage
- I hired a cleaning service to make my apartment spick and span before the party.
- The new parents were thrilled when they saw their baby's room was spick and span.
- The gardener made sure the flower beds were spick and span for the big wedding day.
- I always try to keep my car spick and span, but it's hard with two kids in the back seat.
- The chef spent hours making sure the kitchen was spick and span before serving dinner.
Roots and History
The idiom "spick and span" has been in use since at least the 16th century. It comes from the Old English phrase "spica," which means spear or pointed stick, and "pancum," which means straw. The term "spick-and-span" likely emerged as a metaphor for something clean and well-maintained, like a straw-covered house or barn that was cleaned with a spear-like tool.
Synonyms in English
- Immaculate
- Spotless
- Squeaky clean
- Thoroughly tidy
- In immaculate order
Synonyms in other languages
- Français: Passe-partout (literally "all-passing," implying that everything is in good condition)
- Español: Limpio (literally "clean")
- Italiano: Pulito/Pulita (literally "clean" or "polished")
- German: Sauber (literally "clean")
- Japanese: Clean (literal translation, used to describe a clean and organized space)