Describing Qualities - Order and Tidiness

Discover how English idioms like "clean as a whistle" and "out of place" relate to order and tidiness in English.

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(as|) clean as a (new|) pin [phrase]

kept in a very clean condition

Ex: She always keeps her desk clean as a new pin , with papers neatly filed and everything in its proper place .

(as|) clean as a whistle [phrase]

completely unstained and free from dirt, thus extremely clean and tidy

Ex: He took great pride in his grooming and appearance , always ensuring he looked clean as a whistle before leaving the house .

in apple-pie order [phrase]

with perfect organization and arrangement

Ex: After the renovation , the living room was in apple-pie order , with furniture arranged perfectly and everything in its designated place .

all over the place [phrase]

in a disorganized and untidy way

Ex: His writing style was disjointed , with ideas and examples thrown in randomly , making the essay feel all over the place .

to [give] {sth} (a|the) once-over [phrase]

to rid something of dirt in a rapid manner

Ex:

(as|) nice as ninepence [phrase]

used to refer to someone or something that is very tidy and poperly arranged

Ex: The shop display was arranged beautifully , with products neatly arranged and the shelves looking as nice as ninepence .

out of place [phrase]

(of something) not positioned in its usual place

Ex: The worn-out furniture seemed out of place in the newly renovated and stylishly decorated living room .

dog's (breakfast|dinner) [phrase]

a person or thing that is marked by untidiness

Ex: The gardener 's unkempt appearance and disheveled clothes made him look like a dog 's breakfast .

head over heels [phrase]

in a state of extreme excitement or confusion

Ex: After receiving the promotion , he was head over heels with joy as it was a significant milestone in his career .

(as|) fresh as a daisy [phrase]

used to refer to something that has been kept in a very clean and tidy state

Ex: Despite the long journey , the travelers arrived at their destination looking fresh as a daisy , thanks to their careful grooming .

Describing Qualities
Good Quality or Condition	Poor Quality or Condition	Boring or Interesting	Comparison
Similar or Dissimilar	Order and Tidiness	Old & New Things	Shape, Color & Texture
Place & Position	Location & Placement	Compatibility & Incompatibility	Suitability & Unsuitability
Usefulness & Value	Nature	Vehicles	Describing Qualities