一清二白

yīqīng-èrbái
idiom

Meanings

  1. 1 perfectly clean
  2. 2 blameless
  3. 3 absolutely clear

Examples

HSK 2
Wǒ zuòshì yīqīng'èrbái, bùpà biéren chá.
I do things above board. I'm not afraid of being investigated.
HSK 7-9
Tā de zhàngmù yīqīng'èrbái, shéi yě tiāo bu chū máobìng.
His accounts are spotlessly clean. No one can find a thing wrong with them.

Tips

history
Used by 茅盾 (Mao Dun) in 《劫后拾遗》 and 周立波 in 《暴风骤雨》, where characters insist their conduct is 一清二白, entirely above suspicion. Modern usage carries the same defensive flavor: declaring innocence rather than describing it neutrally.
memory
Picture two clean elements: 一清 (one clear) + 二白 (two white). 'One pure, two spotless', doubly innocent.

Stroke Order

qīng
èr
bái