to stay out of trouble by not doing anything wrong
to avoid acts that will make your reputation questionable
By avoiding the drug dealers on the corner street, James was making an effort to keep his nose clean.
The officer kept his nose clean by not associating with the known corrupt policemen at the bureau.
I have learned that the best way to avoid getting in trouble with the police is to keep one’s nose clean.
It is hard for Lisa to keep her nose clean when several members of her family are involved in one crime or the other.
Everyone urged Matt to keep his nose clean by avoiding Peter’s company following the warrant issued for his arrest.
There is no origin for this idiom
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definition
Common phrase that has a specific meaning.