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

Thomas Tuchel says Ben White must "clear the air" with his England team-mates after returning to the squad for the first time in four years.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 8, 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

In the bathroom, running the water to clear the air, in the bedroom, wheezy puffs out the open window?

From "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood