clear your name

USAGE SUMMARY

"clear your name" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to prove one's innocence or disprove any accusations or suspicions against them. Example: After being falsely accused of theft, John was determined to clear his name and prove his innocence in court.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

But media observers say it is harder to clear your name in the internet era.

Independent

"If you're trying to clear your name, you really have no choice," Hardin said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's the only way to clear your name," he told Ailes, that person said.

The Washington Post

I was offered advice, both practical and legal: clear your name, do it quickly, and make it as public as possible.

The Guardian - Opinion

On Thursday, Tom Davis, the former congressman from Virginia, recalled telling Clemens and his lawyers, "We'll give you a chance to clear your name, but you don't have to do this".

The New York Times - Sports

But there are non-financial costs associated with identity theft -- like the time of having to switch over cards and associated automatic payments, or headaches that could be caused by trying to clear your name of fraudulent activity.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"Sometimes, clearing your name is not as important as taking care of your family," Damon Chase, Mr. Greer's lawyer, said in a statement.

The New York Times

The process of figuring out the damage, clearing your name and restoring your credit is often a full time job.

Huffington Post

SeachPlates doesn't give away any of your personal information, and the site makes it very clear that your name and contact info is safe.

TechCrunch

Clear up your name, and the baddies' mischief will be blunted.

Los Angeles Times

One thing has become clear when your name is Oprah Winfrey: You can do whatever you want, no matter how bewildering it is.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "clear your name", ensure all your statements are factual and verifiable. Public perception often relies on concrete evidence and consistent messaging.

Common error

Don't assume that ignoring allegations will make them disappear. Passively hoping things will improve can often exacerbate the problem. Active and strategic communication is usually required to "clear your name" effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear your name" functions as an idiomatic expression. Ludwig examples shows it describes the action of attempting to prove one's innocence or disprove accusations. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clear your name" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that describes the act of proving one's innocence or disproving accusations. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted and understood. The analysis of example sentences shows that it is frequently used in news and media contexts. Related phrases include "vindicate yourself" and "prove your innocence", which convey similar meanings with slight variations in formality. The phrase is applicable in various registers, though predominantly found in neutral and professional settings. When aiming to "clear your name", it is essential to be proactive, factual, and transparent in addressing allegations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

restore your good name

This phrase is very close in meaning but emphasizes the restoration aspect after damage.

prove your innocence

This phrase directly states the action of demonstrating that you are not guilty of something.

disprove the allegations

This alternative directly addresses the act of proving that accusations are false.

vindicate yourself

This alternative focuses on proving one's innocence or rightness, shifting the emphasis from 'name' to 'self'.

exonerate yourself

This alternative implies being officially cleared of blame or responsibility, suggesting a formal process.

absolve yourself

This phrase suggests freeing oneself from guilt or blame, often in a moral or ethical context.

defend your integrity

This alternative highlights the act of protecting one's moral principles and honesty when they are questioned.

rehabilitate your reputation

This focuses on repairing damage to one's public image, rather than directly addressing accusations.

establish your credibility

This focuses on building trust and believability, which might be necessary after accusations.

rectify your image

This implies correcting a false or negative perception that others have.

FAQs

How can I use "clear your name" in a sentence?

You can use "clear your name" to describe the act of proving your innocence after accusations, such as: "He hired a lawyer to "clear his name" in court".

What's a more formal way to say "clear your name"?

In more formal contexts, you might use phrases like "vindicate yourself" or "exonerate yourself", which imply a more official or legal process.

Is it better to "clear your name" or "clean your name"?

While both phrases are understandable, "clear your name" is the more common and idiomatic expression. "Clean your name" is less frequently used.

What steps should I take to "clear my name" after false accusations?

To "clear your name", gather evidence to disprove the allegations, seek legal counsel, and consider a strategic public response. Addressing the accusations directly and transparently is crucial.