spick-and-span
/ˌspik-ən(d)-ˈspan ˌspik-ᵊŋ-/ (ame, mw)
spick-and-span — idiom
1. Describes a room, house, or other space that is both spotlessly clean and perfec
Describes a room, house, or other space that is both spotlessly clean and perfectly tidy — every item put away, every surface wiped down, and no clutter in sight.
After scrubbing every corner, Yuna admired her spick-and-span kitchen with a satisfied smile.
spick-and-span used predicatively after cleaning a room
Hugo found the hotel bathroom spick-and-span when he checked in late that night.
Bao's grandmother insists the whole flat be spick-and-span before any visitors arrive.
The volunteers left every room in the community centre spick-and-span after the weekend fair.
Even with three young children, Jack keeps the living room spick-and-span throughout the day.
- immaculate
more formal; suggests flawless perfection, often used for clothing or appearance
- pristine
emphasises an untouched, original state rather than the result of cleaning
- spotless
focuses narrowly on the absence of any marks or dirt, without the sense of tidiness
文法句型
be + spick-and-span
leave/keep + something + spick-and-span
用法筆記
This is the most common modern meaning of the phrase. It is used especially of indoor spaces — rooms, flats, kitchens. Distinguish from the older sense 'brand-new' (adjective/2), which describes an unused object rather than a clean one.
spick-and-span — adjective
1. Describes something that has been washed, scrubbed, or polished so thoroughly th
Describes something that has been washed, scrubbed, or polished so thoroughly that no dirt, marks, or stains remain anywhere on it.
Zayd spent the morning polishing his car until every panel was spick-and-span.
spick-and-span describing a vehicle after thorough cleaning
The nurse checked that every steel instrument was spick-and-span before the morning surgery.
spick-and-span in a medical or professional context
Felipe lifted each spick-and-span plate from the drying rack and set it on the table, ready for the family dinner.
Hoa spent an hour scrubbing the kitchen tiles until they were spick-and-span under the light.
The windows looked spick-and-span after Romi cleaned them with vinegar and old newspaper.
- spotless
near-synonym; spotless focuses purely on absence of marks, while spick-and-span adds a sense of freshness and order
- gleaming
emphasises the visual shine from cleaning, rather than the thoroughness of the job
- immaculate
more formal; often used for clothing, appearance, or professional settings
文法句型
be/look/keep + spick-and-span
spick-and-span + noun
用法筆記
The most common modern meaning. The subject is usually a surface, room, vehicle, or object that can be cleaned. Distinguish from adjective/2 (BRAND-NEW), which describes something unused rather than something cleaned.
2. Describes an object that is in the exact condition of having just been made or b
Describes an object that is in the exact condition of having just been made or bought — completely unused, with no signs of wear.
The shop window displayed a spick-and-span bicycle that had never touched the road.
attributive use: spick-and-span + manufactured item
Tanvi unwrapped the spick-and-span notebook, breathed in the fresh-paper smell, and opened it to page one.
Everything in the new clinic was spick-and-span, from the beds to the waiting-room chairs.
Lukas found a spick-and-span copy of the novel, as if no one had ever opened it.
- worn
showing clear signs of use
- shabby
in poor condition from long use
- dilapidated
in a state of disrepair, far beyond merely used
文法句型
spick-and-span + noun
用法筆記
This is the older, less common meaning. Most modern speakers use spick-and-span to mean 'perfectly clean' (adjective/1). This sense survives mainly in descriptions of collectibles, antiques, and second-hand items found in surprisingly good condition.