clear the air
/ˌklɪər ði ˈeə/NEUTRAL · C2
Meaning
to talk openly to end bad feelings between people
Examples
- 1After the argument, Tom and his brother went for a long walk to clear the air.
- 2We had an honest talk that cleared the air, and now we work well together.
- 3After their row, the flatmates sat down to clear the air, and by the evening they were laughing again.
- 4Should I call Ben to clear the air, or wait until he's calmed down?
- 5The meeting cleared the air, and the two departments stopped blaming each other.
Grammar
Only clear changes: clears, cleared. Keep the air: the article does not change.
More idioms about communication
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →speak volumesto show something very clearly without wordsthe gift of the gabthe ability to talk easily and persuasivelybeat around the bushto avoid saying something directlycut to the chaseto talk about the most important thing without delayread between the linesto understand what someone means but does not saykeep someone in the loopto make sure someone knows what is happening
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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