clean bill of health: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Journalistic, Business, Medical
Quick answer
What does “clean bill of health” mean?
An official statement or report declaring that someone or something is in good condition, free from problems, disease, or faults.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An official statement or report declaring that someone or something is in good condition, free from problems, disease, or faults.
A metaphorical certification that a person, organization, system, or project is sound, reliable, and without significant issues.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or form. Slightly more common in British journalism regarding institutional or political scrutiny.
Connotations
Carries connotations of official inspection, thorough vetting, and authoritative clearance.
Frequency
Medium frequency in both varieties, common in news reports, audits, and inspections.
Grammar
How to Use “clean bill of health” in a Sentence
[Subject] gave [Recipient] a clean bill of health.[Recipient] got/received a clean bill of health from [Source/Assessor].The report was a clean bill of health for [Entity].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “clean bill of health” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The council was cleared after the investigation.
- The system was passed fit for purpose.
American English
- The inspectors cleared the building for occupancy.
- The committee approved the project unanimously.
adverb
British English
- The report concluded favourably.
- The patient recovered fully.
American English
- The equipment performed flawlessly.
- The process was approved unconditionally.
adjective
British English
- The ship was declared seaworthy.
- The accounts were given a clean audit.
American English
- The vehicle was deemed roadworthy.
- The facility received a clear inspection report.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The auditors gave the company's finances a clean bill of health.
Academic
The peer review process resulted in a clean bill of health for the research methodology.
Everyday
After his annual check-up, the doctor gave him a clean bill of health.
Technical
The aircraft underwent rigorous inspection and received a clean bill of health from engineering.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “clean bill of health”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “clean bill of health”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “clean bill of health”
- Using it for informal, non-examined praise (e.g., 'My mum gave my room a clean bill of health').
- Incorrect article: 'a clean bill of health' (not 'the' usually).
- Confusing 'bill' with an invoice.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is commonly used metaphorically for organisations, projects, machinery, software, and financial systems after an inspection.
It originates from the 'Bill of Health', a document issued to a ship leaving port, certifying it came from a place free of epidemic disease.
It is exclusively positive, indicating a successful assessment and freedom from faults or problems.
Using it without a sense of formal inspection or assessment (e.g., for casual approval) or misusing the definite article ('the clean bill of health').
An official statement or report declaring that someone or something is in good condition, free from problems, disease, or faults.
Clean bill of health is usually formal, journalistic, business, medical in register.
Clean bill of health: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkliːn ˌbɪl əv ˈhelθ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌklin ˌbɪl əv ˈhelθ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “get the all-clear”
- “pass muster”
- “come through with flying colours”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a doctor signing a document (a bill) with a large green tick (clean) after a perfect health check.
Conceptual Metaphor
HEALTH IS CLEANLINESS / APPROVAL IS A CERTIFIED DOCUMENT.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'a clean bill of health' LEAST appropriate?