keep (one's) nose clean
To stay out of trouble

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

keep nose clean
keep (your) nose clean
to avoid getting into trouble or doing anything illegal.
I'd only been out of prison three months so I was trying to keep my nose clean.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

keep one's nose clean
stay out of trouble
He has been able to keep his nose clean since he moved to the new town.

The judge told the young man that he must keep his nose clean in order not to go to jail in the future.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

keep one's nose clean
v. phr., slang To stay out of trouble; do only what you should do.
The boss said Jim could have the job as long as he kept his nose clean and worked hard.
The policeman warned the boys to keep their noses clean unless they wanted to go to jail.
Compare: STEER CLEAR OF².

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲