clear the air

Idioms  

1. Eliminate confusion, dispel controversy or emotional tension, as in His letter has cleared the air; we now know where he stands. This idiom alludes to an atmosphere cleared of sultriness by a storm. [Late 1800s]

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

clear the air

Chancellor Friedrich Merz has spoken to Trump to try to clear the air over his earlier criticism of the war, according to a German official.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 25, 2026

Overnight, smoke from the Santa Rosa Island and Sandy fires is expected to come onshore, settling over the coast with little wind to clear the air.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 21, 2026

Solis hoped to clear the air on the topic once and for all, and move forward from the social media rumors.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 23, 2025

Engelbert and Collier were supposed to have a meeting to clear the air.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2025

Luna sent rains washing down the Protectorate and the wood and the ruined mountain, which helped to clear the air a little.

From "The Girl Who Drank the Moon" by Kelly Barnhill