spick-and-span
Meaning
Very clean, neat, and in good order.
Tone & use
Often used about rooms, homes, vehicles, or clean objects.
Example
“After the volunteers finished, the kitchen was spick-and-span.”
PositiveInformal / idiomatic
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Words and Their StoriesLearning Expressions with VOA
Processed with VS1Spick-and-Span: Clean, Spotless, and New
Choose among expressions for very clean spaces and brand-new items, with attention to tone and context.
VOA source audio
Words and Their Stories · 3:56
Source: VOA Learning English · Words and Their Stories
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The story explains “spick-and-span” for something very clean, especially a room or object. It compares “immaculate” and “spotless,” and notes that “brand spanking new” describes something completely new rather than clean.
Cultural note: Describing a shared space as immaculate may be praise, but expectations of cleanliness differ. “Brand spanking new” is casual and emphasizes newness; it does not mean that an item is clean or perfect.
Keep exploringSeveral expressions sound like compliments but describe different qualities. Practise choosing the word that matches the evidence: clean, flawless, or new.
Phrase guide · 4 expressions
Explore the expressions
Original explanations and examples, created for learners. Save a card for later or hear the phrase spoken by your browser.
Very clean
Describe a room or object that has been cleaned thoroughly.
Without marks or flaws
Use words for surfaces that look perfectly clean.
immaculate
Meaning
Completely clean, neat, or free from mistakes or flaws.
Tone & use
More formal than “spick-and-span”; it can describe appearance, work, or a space.
Example
“The archivist returned the borrowed books in immaculate condition.”
PositiveNeutral / formal
spotless
Meaning
Completely clean, with no visible marks or stains.
Tone & use
Often describes a surface, garment, or room; it can also mean having a good reputation.
Example
“The café’s tables were spotless before the morning opening.”
PositiveNeutral
Completely new
Distinguish newness from cleanliness.
brand spanking new
Meaning
Completely new and unused.
Tone & use
Casual and emphatic. It refers to newness, not necessarily cleanliness or quality.
Example
“Mina brought a brand spanking new notebook to her first class.”
PositiveInformal
Knowledge check
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Choose the expression that best fits each situation.
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