'a clean sheet of paper'

Posted by Ward Fredericks on March 25, 2004

In a message concerning a decision someone had to make, I used the expression --- 'you now have a clean sheet of paper'. That's a phrase used in the US to denote a situation where a decision can be made without reference to prior events or be limited or affected by past happenings. Most decisions have historical connections and precedent which serve to limit options. Some decisions (they rarely occur) are wholly open -- they can be considered to have no predisposition.
Is this expression used elsewhere? If not, is there another phrase which indicates a decision which is not dependent on other factors?

• 'a clean sheet of paper' Smokey Stover 25/March/04
  • 'a clean sheet of paper' or just a clean sheet? Lotg 25/March/04
    • Clean slate Lotg 25/March/04
      • Decision makers set of options Ward Fredericks 25/March/04
        • Decision makers set of options Smokey Stover 25/March/04
          • Independent consideration/greenfield decisions Lewis 26/March/04
            • Independent consideration/greenfield decisions LaStyle 28/March/04