clear up

verb

1. (tr) to explain or solve (a mystery, misunderstanding, etc)

2. to put (a place or thing that is disordered) in order

3. (intr) (of the weather) to become brighter

noun

1. the act or an instance of clearing up

Idioms and Phrases

Clarify, explain, solve, as in Let's try to clear up this misunderstanding . [Late 1600s]

Become clear, as in After the storm, it cleared up very quickly . [Early 1600s]

Return something to a normal condition, cure, as in This new salve will clear up your rash .

Example Sentences

First, let’s clear up a misconception: Patti Smith’s “M Train” is not a sequel to her 2010 National Book Award-winning memoir “Just Kids.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In a memo to employees, Fiddelke said he was trying to clear up “complexity” that gummed up decision-making and made it harder to deliver on ideas, according to the Journal.

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He cleared up the house, took them for drinks after school and then drove them to McDonalds for dinner.

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Actively resolving stressors -- such as clearing up an argument -- is a key part of processing stress and allows emotions to settle more quickly.

Read more on Science Daily

In addition, 3,300 naval troops are helping with evacuations as well as clearing up the aftereffects of the floods.

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Related Words

• clarify 
• illustrate 
• resolve 
• solve 
• straighten out 
• unravel