Definition

1. Verb (Transitive):

   • To resolve or explain something, making it understandable: To remove confusion, doubt, or mystery from a situation, question, or statement.
   • To tidy or put things in order: To make a place neat by removing clutter or mess.
   • To cure or cause to disappear: To cause a medical condition, like a rash or infection, to heal or vanish.

2. Verb (Intransitive):

   • (Of weather) To become bright and sunny: For clouds, rain, or bad weather to dissipate, resulting in clear skies.
   • (Of a skin condition) To disappear: For a medical issue on the skin to heal and go away.

Usage Examples

• Verb (Transitive):

  • The manager called a meeting to clear up the misunderstanding about the new policy.
  • Can you clear up your desk before you leave? It's very messy.
  • This cream should clear up the infection in a few days.

• Verb (Intransitive):

  • It's been raining all morning, but the forecast says it will clear up by this afternoon.
  • My skin broke out last week, but thankfully it's starting to clear up.

Advanced Usage

• "to clear something up": Emphasizes the act of resolving a specific issue.
  • We need to clear this matter up before we can proceed.
• "to clear up after someone/something": To tidy a mess created by another person or event.
  • Parents often have to clear up after their children.

Variants and Related Words

• Clear (adj): Easy to perceive or understand; transparent.
  • She gave a clear explanation.
• Clearance (n): The act of clearing or the state of being cleared; official authorization.
  • We received clearance to begin the project.
• Clearing (n): An open area in a forest where there are no trees.
  • We set up camp in a small clearing.

Synonyms

• Clarify: To make a statement or situation less confused and more comprehensible.
• Resolve: To settle or find a solution to a problem or dispute.
• Tidy (up): To make a place neat and orderly.
• Disappear: To cease to be visible.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Clear away: To remove items, especially from a table or surface, to make it tidy.
  • Please clear away the dishes after dinner.
• Clear out: To remove unwanted items from a place; to leave a place quickly.
  • I need to clear out the attic. / We had to clear out when the alarm sounded.

Related Idioms

• Clear the air: To discuss a problem openly to reduce tension and misunderstanding.
  • After their argument, they had a talk to clear the air.

Verb

1. make free from confusion or ambiguity; make clear
   • Could you clarify these remarks?
   • Clear up the question of who is at fault
2. become clear
   • The sky cleared after the storm
3. free (the throat) by making a rasping sound
   • Clear the throat
4. finish a task completely
   • I finally got through this homework assignment
5. make clear and (more) comprehensible
   • clarify the mystery surrounding her death