staying clean

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   the act of continuing to avoid illegal drugs or alcohol after stopping

   Grammar: Used as a noun phrase: 'Staying clean is hard.' It does not take an object.

   Patterns

   • staying clean for a period
   • focus on staying clean

   After rehab, staying clean was his biggest challenge.

   She credits her family with helping her in staying clean.

   The program offers support for people who are staying clean.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   the act of keeping yourself or a place free from dirt or mess

   Grammar: Often used after verbs like 'mean' or 'involve': 'Staying clean means washing often.'

   Patterns

   • staying clean in a place
   • staying clean during a task

   Staying clean while camping can be difficult.

   The children need help with staying clean at school.

   For nurses, staying clean is part of the job.

Common combinations

staying clean and sober

He has been staying clean and sober for two years.

focus on staying clean

The group focuses on staying clean one day at a time.

help with staying clean

She gets help with staying clean from a counselor.

staying clean at work

Staying clean at work means washing your hands often.

Synonyms and how they differ

sobriety

This noun means the state of not drinking alcohol or taking drugs; it is more formal and focuses on the state, not the ongoing effort.

hygiene

This noun means practices that keep you clean and healthy; it is a general noun, not the ongoing action.

Opposites

Word family

stay clean verb

The base form; means to continue to be free from drugs or dirt.

clean adjective

Free from dirt or, informally, free from drugs.

Commonly confused: staying clean or cleaning?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “staying clean”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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