clear up this mess

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clear up this mess" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to resolving a situation that is disorganized or problematic. Example: "After the meeting, we need to clear up this mess and ensure everyone is on the same page."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"Go back to work and clear up this mess for us," Professor Demsetz said.

The New York Times

Others told it to hold the information indefinitely.The Commission hopes that when the new regulation comes into effect (probably in 2016) it will clear up this mess.

The Economist

"What I would like to see is people who care for the sport really coming together to clear up this mess.

The Guardian - Sport

Something must give.How to clear up this mess is now obsessing British politicians as they prepare for the general election which must be held by June 3rd next year.

The Economist

So there is a strong argument that since Irish taxpayers are incurring huge and rising losses to clear up this mess, the pain should be shared with all the guilty parties, who surely include the sophisticated financial professionals at foreign banks that foolishly provided Irish banks with the means to mortgage an entire economy.

BBC

Looking to clear up this mess a bit, Democratic Rep. of California Anna Eshoo has proposed a bill requiring carriers to clarify whatever the hell it is they mean when they say "4G" by providing speed details, coverage maps, pricing, and layman explanations of the technology in place.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

One way or another, New York City and State have an interest in clearing up this mess — before it cuts into all of our diets.

The New York Times

"Michael Gove must get a grip on this situation and come before parliament when the House of Commons returns next week to explain to the public how it came about that pupils could receive such different treatment from exam boards and to set out his plans for clearing up this mess".

The Guardian

But the poorer ones stayed behind and are now clearing up this mess.

BBC

Even allowing for problems in the translation, it's not clear how you'd clean up this mess.

The New York Times - Books

We will clear up this whole mess.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clear up this mess", ensure the context is clear. The phrase implies a situation that is disorganized, problematic, or has negative consequences. Be specific about what "mess" you are referring to.

Common error

Avoid using "clear up this mess" without clearly defining what the "mess" is. Ambiguity can confuse the reader. Instead, specify the situation you're addressing to provide clarity and context.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "clear up this mess" is a verbal phrase acting as a directive or statement of intent. It suggests a need for action to resolve a problematic situation, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "clear up this mess" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression for resolving problematic situations. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, highlighting its prevalence in news and media. While versatile, it's crucial to define the "mess" clearly to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "resolve this issue" or "sort out this problem" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality and emphasis. Proper usage involves being specific about the situation needing correction to ensure clarity and effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clean up this situation

Very similar, using "clean up" instead of "clear up", maintaining informality.

resolve this issue

Focuses on finding a solution, slightly more formal.

sort out this problem

Emphasizes the act of organizing and fixing the problem.

rectify this situation

Implies correcting something that is wrong or unjust, more formal.

fix this problem

A more direct and informal way to express the same idea.

straighten out this situation

Suggests making something orderly and clear, similar in formality.

remedy this matter

Suggests a legal or formal correction of something, more formal.

address this concern

Focuses on acknowledging and dealing with a specific issue, slightly more neutral.

correct this error

Highlights the need to fix a mistake or inaccuracy.

untangle this problem

Implies resolving a complex or confusing issue.

FAQs

What does "clear up this mess" mean?

The phrase "clear up this mess" means to resolve a situation that is disorganized, problematic, or has negative consequences. It implies a need to fix or correct something to restore order or improve the situation.

How can I use "clear up this mess" in a sentence?

You can use "clear up this mess" in sentences like: "After the project failure, the team needed to "clear up this mess" and learn from their mistakes." or "The new regulations aim to "clear up this mess" in the financial sector."

What are some alternatives to "clear up this mess"?

Some alternatives include "resolve this issue", "sort out this problem", or "rectify this situation". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "clean up this mess" the same as "clear up this mess"?

Yes, "clean up this mess" and "clear up this mess" are very similar and often interchangeable. Both phrases mean to resolve a problematic or disorganized situation. The choice between them is often a matter of personal preference.