Meaning & use
cleanliness is next to
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Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
Used to say that keeping clean and tidy is almost as good as being holy, or that tidiness is a great virtue.
Grammar: A fixed saying; the words never change and the phrase is normally used as a whole sentence.
Patterns
- cleanliness is next to godliness
My grandmother always said cleanliness is next to godliness, and her kitchen was spotless.
The article quotes the old proverb 'cleanliness is next to godliness' to explain why the town takes rubbish collection so seriously.
phrasefixed phrasehumorous
Used humorously when someone is unusually keen on washing, tidying, or keeping things spotless.
Grammar: Often said with a smile or a sigh when you think someone is fussing too much about dirt.
He scrubs the floor twice a day — clearly cleanliness is next to godliness in his house.
You've wiped that table four times already; cleanliness is next to godliness, I suppose.
Common combinations
- the proverb 'cleanliness is next to godliness'
- The teacher wrote the proverb 'cleanliness is next to godliness' on the board.
- always say (that) cleanliness is next to godliness
- My aunt always says cleanliness is next to godliness when she visits.
- quote cleanliness is next to godliness
- The mayor quoted cleanliness is next to godliness when he opened the new laundry.
- live by cleanliness is next to godliness
- They live by the idea that cleanliness is next to godliness and never leave a dish in the sink.
- cleanliness is next to godliness in this house
- Cleanliness is next to godliness in this house, so please take your shoes off.
Synonyms and how they differ
- tidy habits are a virtue
- A plain description of the same idea, used when you want to explain the proverb rather than repeat it.
- a place for everything and everything in its place
- Another saying about order and tidiness, but it is about organizing things, not about washing.
Word family
- cleanliness noun
- The state of being clean; the key noun inside the proverb.
- cleanly adverb
- In a clean way, without making a mess.
- godliness noun
- The quality of being holy or devoted to God; the word that completes the saying.
Commonly confused: cleanliness is next to or cleanliness is next to godliness? cleanliness is next to or clean?
cleanliness is next to vs cleanliness is next to godliness
This is the full saying. People sometimes hear only the first part and think it is a complete sentence on its own, but the word 'godliness' is always understood.
cleanliness is next to vs clean
'Clean' is the adjective for something with no dirt; 'cleanliness' is the noun for the habit or state of being clean.
Practice
Which is the natural way to complete this common English proverb: 'Cleanliness is next to ___'?
Choose one answer.
The fixed saying ends with 'godliness', so that is the only word that keeps the proverb intact. 'Tidiness' and 'happiness' fit the general idea of the sentence, which makes them tempting, but they are not part of this established saying.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cleanliness is next to”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.