Synonyms

clear the air

Idioms

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 8, 2025

George Russell says he has "no intention" of speaking to Max Verstappen to clear the air following their row at the end of last season.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2025

In any case, the mayor has taken time out of his busy schedule of hitting the club and cutting the budget to clear the air.

From Slate • Jan. 25, 2025

That may be the case as Williams does get to clear the air with his father right before he performs in front of 125,000 thousand fans at Knebworth, the largest concert ever.

From Salon • Jan. 10, 2025

We needed someone to help clear the air and bring some understanding to the turmoil happening all around us.

From "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement" by Carolyn Maull McKinstry

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023