cleared things up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cleared things up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that a situation has been made clearer or that confusion has been resolved. Example: "After our discussion, I feel like we really cleared things up regarding the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

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

The Washington Post

A 15-minute demonstration in the calm of Ripple's no-­lunch-service kitchen cleared things up considerably.

The Washington Post

https://t.co/MPXBgUApa3 They really shouldn't have had to, as it's pretty clear from the books that it was a nod to Snape's loyalty and resolve, but Rowling cleared things up anyway.

Independent

A BBC spokeman cleared things up, saying: "The passing mention of Gardeners' Question Time was part of a broader discussion about language and race … the comment simply reflected the programme's use of accepted gardening and horticultural terminology".

The Guardian

The bloggers at Free Exchange (until today, I wasn't sure there was more than one, but the references to "my colleague" cleared things up for me) have a couple of nice posts in defense of speculation, both generally and specifically with regard to credit default swaps (CDS), which have become one of the great bête noires of this financial crisis.

The New Yorker

By James Surowiecki January 7, 2009 The bloggers at Free Exchange (until today, I wasn't sure there was more than one, but the references to "my colleague" cleared things up for me) have a couple of nice posts in defense of speculation, both generally and specifically with regard to credit default swaps (CDS), which have become one of the great bête noires of this financial crisis.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Well, that clears things up!

The New Yorker

"Probably trying to clear things up from their standpoint.

The Guardian - Sport

(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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cleared things up" when you want to convey that a situation has become less confusing and more understandable due to explanation or action. For example: "After the meeting, we cleared things up regarding the budget allocation."

Common error

Avoid using "cleared things up" if the situation is only partially resolved or if significant ambiguities remain. This phrase implies a high degree of resolution and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "cleared things up" primarily functions as a predicate within a sentence, indicating the action of making something more understandable or resolving a confusing situation. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it often follows a subject (person or entity) that performed the action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "cleared things up" is a common and generally neutral expression used to indicate that a situation has been made more understandable or that confusion has been resolved. Ludwig's analysis of multiple sources indicates that while suitable for diverse contexts, it is most frequently encountered in news and media. While "cleared things up" implies a high degree of resolution, its usage should be avoided if the situation is only partially addressed. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarified the situation

Focuses specifically on making a situation understandable, omitting the nuance of tidying up lingering issues.

resolved the confusion

Highlights the removal of confusion, without necessarily implying a complete explanation.

explained everything

Emphasizes a full explanation, perhaps more thorough than simply clearing up doubts.

sorted it out

More informal, implying a practical solution to a problem or misunderstanding.

straightened things out

Similar to 'sorted it out' but can apply to non-tangible situations like relationships or misunderstandings.

elucidated the matter

More formal and emphasizes making something easier to understand through detailed explanation.

shed light on

Suggests revealing information that was previously unknown or obscured.

made it clear

Focuses on establishing clarity, regardless of previous states of confusion.

ironed out the details

Implies that any remaining issues were minor and needed to be polished.

set the record straight

Often used when correcting misinformation or inaccuracies publicly.

FAQs

What does "cleared things up" mean?

The phrase "cleared things up" means to resolve confusion, explain something so it's easier to understand, or tidy up a problem so it's no longer an issue. It suggests making a situation less complicated and more transparent.

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

You can use "cleared things up" in sentences like: "The manager "clarified the situation" during the meeting.", or "The new evidence "shed light on" the mystery."

What are some alternatives to "cleared things up"?

Alternatives to "cleared things up" include "clarified the situation", "resolved the confusion", "explained everything", or "sorted it out" depending on the specific context.

Is "cleared things up" formal or informal?

"Cleared things up" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. While acceptable in professional settings, more formal alternatives like "elucidated the matter" might be preferred in highly formal contexts.