How do you use "Clean bill of health" in a sentence?

The doctor gave me a clean bill of health. All tests back—clean bill of health. Can't start the job until I get a clean bill of health.

Clean bill of health

Q: What does "Clean bill of health" mean?

Medical confirmation of being healthy. 'Given a clean bill of health' means the doctor says you're fine—no problems found. Often after a checkup or recovering from illness. 'Clean bill' is like a certificate of good health.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

Meaning: Medical confirmation of being healthy.

医生确认身体健康。

Confirmación médica de buena salud.

医師から健康であるとの太鼓判。

건강하다는 의사의 확인.

'Given a clean bill of health' means the doctor says you're fine—no problems found. Often after a checkup or recovering from illness. 'Clean bill' is like a certificate of good health.

「given a clean bill of health」意思是医生说你没问题——没发现任何问题。常见于体检后或病后恢复。「Clean bill」就像一张健康证明。

«Given a clean bill of health» significa que el médico dice que estás bien, no se han encontrado problemas. Suele ocurrir tras una revisión o al recuperarse de una enfermedad. «Clean bill» es como un certificado de buena salud.

「given a clean bill of health」は医師から問題なしと言われたこと。健康診断や病気からの回復後によく使われる。「Clean bill」は健康のお墨付きのようなもの。

'Given a clean bill of health'는 의사가 문제없다고 말해주는 것—아무 이상이 발견되지 않았다는 뜻이다. 보통 정기 검진 후나 병에서 회복된 후에 쓰인다. 'Clean bill'은 건강 증명서 같은 것이다.

Examples

The doctor gave me a clean bill of health.
医生说我完全没问题
El médico me dio el visto bueno
「医者から問題なしと言われた」
의사에게 이상 없다는 진단을 받았어.
All tests back—clean bill of health.
所有检查结果出来了——一切正常
Ya están todos los análisis: todo bien
「検査結果が全部出た——異常なし」
검사 결과가 다 나왔어—이상 없대.
Can't start the job until I get a clean bill of health.
拿到健康证明才能开始工作
No puedo empezar el trabajo hasta que me den el alta médica
「健康診断書をもらわないと仕事を始められない」
건강 진단서를 받아야 일을 시작할 수 있어.

Pronunciation

/kliːn bɪl əv hɛlθ/

Usage Guide

Context: checkup, recovery, health

Tone: reassuring, official

✓ Do Say

Clean bill of health
健康证明
certificado de buena salud
健康のお墨付き
이상 없다는 진단 (clean bill of health)
Given a clean bill
获得健康证明
dado el visto bueno
太鼓判を押された
이상 없다는 판정을 받다 (given a clean bill)

Common Mistakes

Maritime origin—nothing to do with medical bills

Origin & History

From maritime 'bills of health'—certificates showing a ship's crew was free from plague or disease. A 'clean' bill meant no disease; 'foul' meant infected. Now applied to individuals after medical examination.

Etymology: Maritime: ship's health certificate

First recorded: 17th century maritime, general usage 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: 17th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Universal expression

Regional notes: Universal English.

Story & Trivia

In the 17th-19th centuries, ships arriving at port needed a 'bill of health' from their departure port. A clean bill allowed entry; a foul bill meant quarantine. The phrase survives long after the maritime practice ended.

Variations

Clean bill of healthGiven the all-clear