clean sheet
noun1
Figuratively An absence of debts or indictments.
2
Ball games, Games, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Soccer, Sports Figuratively, Not in the US A game played without having conceded a goal.
- Birmingham had their defence to thank for a clean sheet, although they were lucky to escape when Manuel da Costa shot off-target and then headed wide.2011 February 6, Alistair Magowan, “West Ham 0 - 1 Birmingham”, in BBC:
- Nigeria had scored only three goals in three games, all against Australia, but they had also kept two clean sheets and their defensive organisation continued to frustrate England immensely.2023 August 7, Suzanne Wrack, “England beat Nigeria on penalties to reach Women’s World Cup quarter-finals”, in The Guardian:
3
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see clean, sheet.
- Derived terms
- start with a clean sheet
- Related terms
- shutout