With 2- and 5-Down, distinction for kids who finish their whole dinner

CLEAN

Think of what you might call a plate after every last bite is gone—it’s the opposite of messy. This word also describes something free from dirt or marks.

This clue is part of a split answer where "CLEAN" combines with the answers to 2-Down and 5-Down to form the phrase "CLEAN PLATE," a common saying for kids who eat everything on their plate. The wordplay relies on the idea that finishing your dinner earns you a "clean plate," with "CLEAN" being the first word of that phrase. The numbers (2- and 5-Down) signal that you’ll need those other clues to complete the full expression.