clear himself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clear himself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone is trying to absolve themselves of blame or clarify their position in a situation. Example: "He wanted to clear himself of any wrongdoing before the investigation began."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

Shoriki took to meditating for many hours a day, while pulling every string he could to clear himself.

The Economist

It's right that Jeremy should clear himself because I think it's unfortunate that any suggestion of probity is left".

The Guardian

But when he's blamed for the murder of two agents in Berlin, he has to take action to clear himself.

The New York Times

9 P.M. (USA) BURN NOTICE Season 5 ends as Michael Jeffrey Donovann) takes drastic measures to clear himself as a suspect in Max's murder.

The New York Times

Eisenhower was willing to give Nixon a chance to clear himself but emphasized that Nixon needed to emerge from the crisis "as clean as a hound's tooth".

Encyclopedia Britannica

The play was "Taking Sides," about the efforts of the celebrated German conductor Wilhelm Furtwängler to clear himself of charges of collaboration with the Nazis.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

The bishop cleared himself in his Refutation and Apology and accepted the pope's authority.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He cleared himself after 4 months, but lost his job as a clerk in Beaumont & Ditchwell's law office.

The New Yorker

Viciously attacked by his successor as prime minister, Francesco Crispi, for his part in the bank scandal (1894), Giolitti presented evidence clearing himself but greatly damaging Crispi.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Later, after he cleared himself of that charge, he was given his notice, but when the word got around that he was a hockey enthusiast, he was told he could stay.

The New Yorker

A lecturer at the University of Paris and the author of several works defending the doctrines of St. Thomas Aquinas, he was condemned in 1286 for some of his theological propositions but cleared himself by further explanation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clear himself" when the subject is actively working to remove suspicion or prove their innocence, often in response to specific accusations or circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "clear himself" when the situation requires a more proactive approach, such as preventing misunderstandings before they arise. In such cases, consider using phrases like "make himself clear" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear himself" functions as a reflexive verb phrase. It indicates an action performed by someone with the goal of removing suspicion or blame from themselves. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used when an individual is trying to prove their innocence or clarify their position.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clear himself" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that signifies an effort to prove one's innocence or remove suspicion. As Ludwig AI points out, it’s frequently found in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. When aiming for alternative phrasing, options like ""prove his innocence"" or ""vindicate himself"" can be considered, depending on the desired nuance. Remember to employ this phrase when someone is actively working to dispel blame or doubt surrounding their actions or character.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prove his innocence

Focuses specifically on demonstrating a lack of guilt.

vindicate himself

Implies a successful defense against accusations, restoring reputation.

exonerate himself

Formally absolves someone of blame or wrongdoing.

absolve himself

Releases himself from guilt or obligation.

justify his actions

Focuses on providing reasons to support his behavior.

defend his position

Emphasizes the act of arguing in favor of his stance.

acquit himself

Secures a verdict of not guilty, often in a legal context.

explain his conduct

Provides an account of his behavior to clarify intentions.

disprove the allegations

Concentrates on proving that accusations are false.

refute the claims

Denies and argues against the validity of assertions.

FAQs

What does it mean to "clear himself"?

To "clear himself" means to prove that one is innocent of an accusation or suspicion. It involves taking actions to remove doubt or blame from oneself.

How can I use "clear himself" in a sentence?

You can use "clear himself" in a sentence like, "The suspect hired a lawyer to "prove his innocence" and "clear himself" of all charges."

What are some alternatives to "clear himself"?

Alternatives to "clear himself" include "vindicate himself", "exonerate himself", or "prove his innocence". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "clear himself" or "clear himself up"?

The phrase "clear himself" is more common and grammatically sound. "Clear himself up" could be interpreted as to clarify something about himself but it could also imply to wash himself; so the better choice is "clear himself" when the meaning is of exoneration.