clear the house

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'clear the house' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it generally when you want to indicate that all people need to leave a building or area. For example: "After the fire alarm went off, security quickly cleared the house and made sure everyone was safely evacuated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

It took several hours to clear the house.

The New Yorker

The operation to clear the house lasted about six hours.

The New York Times

On the inside, it seems clear, the house has to be torn down to be rebuilt.

The Guardian

His grandfather was a Seminole who used to clear the house on New Year's Day by burning tobacco leaves.

The New York Times

Mayella plotted for a year, saving her pennies so she could clear the house of her siblings.

The New Yorker

The management maintained a policy of alternating live stage shows with B movies (allegedly to clear the house).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

The Romans had to clear the houses one by one.

Britannica

We've cleared the house of clutter.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Officers were "clearing the house", reporters told Reuters.

Independent

Clearing the house was not going to be easy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The waste disposal company involved in clearing the house claimed there was "at least 20 tonnes of stuff in there".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to leave a building, especially in emergencies, use "clear the house" for clarity and directness. This ensures immediate action and reduces potential confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "clear the house" when you simply mean to clean or organize. The phrase implies vacating the premises, not just tidying up. Use alternatives like "declutter" or "clean out" for the latter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear the house" functions primarily as an imperative phrase, instructing someone to empty a house of its occupants or contents. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

17%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "clear the house" is a grammatically sound and usable imperative phrase that instructs the emptying of a house, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Wiki contexts, it serves the purpose of issuing a direct order, often in situations requiring immediate action for safety or security. While the register is generally neutral to formal, it's crucial to recognize its serious undertones, avoiding its use in casual scenarios where "declutter" or "clean out" would be more appropriate. Related phrases include "empty the house" and "evacuate the building", each with slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

empty the house

Focuses specifically on removing contents and occupants, emphasizing the state of being vacated.

clean out the house

Similar to declutter, focusing on removing unwanted items.

vacate the premises

A more formal way to say leave the house.

evacuate the building

Emphasizes a forced or emergency departure from the house.

declutter the house

Focuses on removing unnecessary items to tidy up the house.

tidy up the house

Focuses on organizing and arranging items within the house.

sanitize the house

Focuses on cleaning and disinfecting the house.

purge the residence

Emphasizes a thorough removal of unwanted elements from the residence.

resolve the situation in the house

Addresses settling a problem or conflict within the house.

make the house free of

Highlights the absence of unwanted elements from the house.

FAQs

How can I use "clear the house" in a sentence?

You can use "clear the house" to instruct people to leave a building, often in an emergency. For example, "After the gas leak was detected, the fire department ordered everyone to "clear the house" immediately".

What does "clear the house" mean?

"Clear the house" generally means to empty a house of its occupants, usually due to an emergency, security threat, or the need to search the premises thoroughly.

What are some alternatives to "clear the house"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "clear the house" include "empty the house", "evacuate the building", or "vacate the premises".

Is it appropriate to use "clear the house" in a casual conversation?

While grammatically correct, "clear the house" carries a serious tone. In casual contexts like decluttering, consider using phrases like "declutter the house" or "clean out the house" instead.