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]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

clear the air

Allow us to clear the air: Canada has reported about 3,500 wildfires so far this year, which is in line with recent historical averages.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 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

And what's clear is that this is no attempt to clear the air but indication of a deep rift.

From BBC ● Jan. 20, 2026

"He didn't want to have that final kind of meeting and to have to clear the air with it," Hamed said.

From BBC ● Jan. 9, 2026

Leo kept thinking he should bring it up, just to clear the air, but the timing never seemed right.

From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan