Clean Through

In Southern and Appalachian speech, clean through means completely or from beginning to end, emphasizing that something was done fully, without interruption or omission.

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synonyms: completely, entirely, all the way through, from start to finish

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I use 'clean through' myself, and it's common out in the country.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I use 'clean through' myself, and it's common out in the country.

Pronunciation

[KLEEN THROO]
/klin θru/

Meaning & Usage

- Completely; from start to finish (adverbial phrase)

Estel:

Was you workin' last night pretty late?

Elmer:

Never stopped, worked clean through.

- Completely; from one side to the other (adverbial phrase)

Estel:

Did 'at limb mess up the barn roof much?

Elmer:

Mess it up? Went clean through it!

variations: clean thru

★ When clean shows up like this, it isn’t about tidiness - it’s acting as an intensifier, adding force to the idea of total completion. ★

Origin and Etymology

The intensifying use of "clean" meaning "completely" dates back to older English and Scots usage and was carried into American English through early settlement. While many such constructions faded from general use, this pattern remained productive in Southern and Appalachian speech, where "clean" continues to function as an adverbial intensifier in everyday language. The phrase reflects regional preservation rather than Southern origin.

Usage Notes

"Clean through" is still used in Southern and Appalachian speech to stress that something was done fully, without skipping steps or stopping partway. Outside these regions, the phrase is uncommon and often sounds old-fashioned or dialectal, with speakers favoring alternatives like "all the way through."

Used to emphasize total completion, especially of tasks, reading, or time spans
Often paired with verbs of effort or duration ("worked," "read," "sat")
Reflects the broader Southern/Appalachian use of clean as an intensifier

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Does "clean through" mean the same as "all the way through"?

Yes. It serves the same function but adds stronger emphasis on completeness.

Is this phrase still used today?

It remains in active use in parts of the South and Appalachia, especially in rural or older speech.

Does "clean" here mean neat or tidy?

No. In this construction, "clean" functions as an intensifier meaning "completely."

Is "clean through" considered informal?

Yes. It is a regional, informal expression rather than standard written English.

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, December 18). Clean Through. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/clean-through
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Clean Through." HillbillySlang.com, 18 Dec. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/clean-through.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Clean Through." HillbillySlang.com. December 18, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/clean-through.