All clear

USAGE SUMMARY

"all clear" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that there is no danger or obstacle in the way. For example, "The coast is clear - let's go!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Medical & Health

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

Thankfully, I got the all clear.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"You never get the all clear".

The Guardian

All clear so far?

The Economist

All clear about 12.20.

The Guardian

"All clear," she said, clasping the paddles.

The New York Times

All clear of Park Hill.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

But it is not the all-clear.

The Economist

"They didn't have the all-clear".

The New York Times - Arts

Soon after, the all-clear is given.

The New York Times

At 5am the all-clear was sounded.

The Guardian

A white paintball means all-clear.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Keep the words separate as "all clear" when using it as a predicate adjective following a verb (e.g., "The results were all clear")

Common error

Avoid using "All clear" in critical safety instructions without defining the scope. For example, saying "It's all clear" could mean a task is finished or a danger has passed; use more specific terms like "safe to enter" if physical danger is involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "All clear" serves a dual function depending on its syntactic position. In a predicative role, it acts as an adjective phrase modifying a subject (e.g., "The tests are all clear"). When preceded by an article, it functions as a compound noun. Ludwig AI confirms its validity as a standard signal for the end of a danger period or a confirmation of unobstructed status.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Medical & Health

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "All clear" is a robust and universally recognized expression in the English language. Ludwig AI demonstrates that it is frequently employed in high-authority news sources like The New York Times and The Guardian to signal the end of a crisis or the results of a medical test. Whether used as a noun to describe an official signal or an adjective to confirm clarity and safety, it remains an essential tool for providing concise reassurance. When writing, remember that "all clear" as an adjective is separate, while the noun often takes a hyphen. Its presence in everything from medical updates to wartime history emphasizes its reliability across diverse contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Safe to proceed

A more formal and instructional way to signal that obstacles have been removed

The coast is clear

Adds an idiomatic nuance suggesting it is safe to proceed without being seen or caught

Clean bill of health

Specific to medical contexts indicating that no diseases or issues were found

Green light

Uses a metaphor for permission to start a project or movement

No issues found

A technical or analytical equivalent often used in inspections or digital scans

Fully understood

Focuses on the cognitive aspect of clarity rather than physical safety

Hazard-free

Emphasizes the absence of danger in a safety-first context

Everything is fine

A simpler, more general reassurance of status

Crystal clear

An emphatic version specifically used for total transparency or understanding

Resolved

A more formal way to indicate that a previous problem or alert has been handled

FAQs

How do I use "all clear" in a sentence?

You can use it to indicate a lack of danger, such as "After the inspection, the fire marshal gave the "all clear"" or to describe understanding: "Is that message "all clear" to you?"

What is the difference between "all clear" and "the all-clear"?

"All clear" is typically an adjective phrase, while "the "all-clear"" is a noun often referring to an official signal or siren.

Can I use "all clear" in a medical context?

Yes, it is very common. You might say, "I finally got a "clean bill of health"" or "The doctor told me the tests were "all clear"".

What can I say instead of "all clear" for safety?

Depending on the situation, you could use "the coast is clear", "safe to proceed" or "no danger".