clear things up

USAGE SUMMARY

"clear things up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to explain something that is difficult to understand or when you want to bring more clarity to a situation. Example: “Let me try and clear things up so everyone is on the same page.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Still, Mrs. Boxer said, Why not clear things up?

The New York Times

"Probably trying to clear things up from their standpoint.

The Guardian - Sport

Replays clear things up in a jiffy — Nicks clearly broke the plane.

The New York Times

(The company just put out a really strange advertisement that fails to clear things up).

The Guardian

You can clear things up with him when you have your audience tomorrow.

The New Yorker

In an effort to clear things up, here are answers to some common concerns.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

Well, that clears things up!

The New Yorker

Then, when they cleared things up, they'd send her along.

The Washington Post

In this situation, clearing the browser's cache files often clears things up and lets you start fresh.

The New York Times

I hope this clears things up for Limbaugh and anybody else who might be feeling confused or indeed "probably racist".

The Guardian - Opinion

I hope that cleared things up a little.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clear things up" when you want to simplify a complex topic or correct misunderstandings. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, offering a versatile way to improve clarity.

Common error

While versatile, avoid using "clear things up" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language like "elucidate" or "clarify" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear things up" primarily functions as a phrasal verb. It combines a verb ("clear") with a particle ("up") to create a meaning distinct from the individual words. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clear things up" is a versatile and widely used phrasal verb that means to resolve confusion or make something easier to understand. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media where clarity is essential. While its register is generally neutral, it's important to consider the formality of the situation and audience when choosing this phrase. For more formal settings, alternatives like "clarify" or "elucidate" may be more appropriate. With its frequent use and clear meaning, "clear things up" remains a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarify the situation

Focuses on making the situation more understandable.

resolve the confusion

Emphasizes the act of removing confusion.

elucidate the matter

A more formal way of saying to make something clear.

sort out the details

Highlights the process of organizing and clarifying specific information.

shed light on

Figuratively illuminating a topic to enhance understanding.

straighten out

Implies correcting something that is wrong or confusing.

get to the bottom of

Suggests investigating to find the true explanation.

unravel the mystery

Implies solving a complex and puzzling issue.

make plain

To express something in a clear and simple manner.

set straight

To correct a misunderstanding or error.

FAQs

How can I use "clear things up" in a sentence?

You can use "clear things up" to indicate an attempt to make something easier to understand, as in, "Let me "clear things up" by explaining the process step by step."

What's a more formal alternative to "clear things up"?

For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "clarify the situation" or "elucidate the matter".

Is "clear things up" appropriate for professional communication?

"Clear things up" is acceptable in many professional settings, especially when aiming for straightforward communication. However, assess your audience and the formality of the context to see if a more precise term might be preferable.

How does "clear things up" differ from "clean things up"?

"Clear things up" refers to making something easier to understand or resolving confusion, whereas "clean things up" means to tidy or remove physical mess. They are used in entirely different contexts.