Definition of 'clear up'

Word Frequency

clear up

1. phrasal verb

When you clear up or clear a place up, you tidy things and put them away.

After breakfast they played while I cleared up. [VERB PARTICLE]

I cleared up my room. [VERB PARTICLE noun]

[Also VERB noun PARTICLE]

2. phrasal verb

To clear up a problem, misunderstanding, or mystery means to settle it or find a satisfactory explanation for it.

There should be someone to whom you can turn for any advice or to clear up any problems. [VERB PARTICLE noun (not pronoun)]

During dinner the confusion was cleared up: they had mistaken me for Kenny. [be VERB-ed PARTICLE]

[Also V n P, V P n]

3. See also clear-up

4. phrasal verb

To clear up a medical problem, infection, or disease means to cure it or get rid of it. If a medical problem clears up, it goes away.

Antibiotics should be used to clear up the infection. [VERB PARTICLE noun]

Acne often clears up after the first three months of pregnancy. [VERB PARTICLE]

[Also VERB noun PARTICLE]

5. phrasal verb

When the weather clears up, it stops raining or being cloudy.

It all depends on the weather clearing up. [VERB PARTICLE]

More Synonyms of clear up

clear

Word Frequency

clear-up

adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]

The clear-up rate for a crime or in an area is the percentage of criminals caught by the police, compared to the total number of crimes reported.

[British]

The clear-up rate for murders remains high.

The Metropolitan Police say clear-up figures were improved.

Word Frequency

clear up in British

verb (adverb)

1. (transitive)

to explain or solve (a mystery, misunderstanding, etc)

to put (a place or thing that is disordered) in order

3. (intransitive)

(of the weather) to become brighter

noun clear-up (ˈklɪərˌʌp )

the act or an instance of clearing up

Word Frequency

clear up in American

to make or become clear

to make orderly

to become unclouded, sunny, etc. after being cloudy or stormy

to explain

to cure or become cured

this will clear up your cold

clear

Example sentences containing 'clear up'

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You can talk to the family in a way that clears up money misunderstandings. The Sun (2009)Your skill in clearing up the misunderstandings that shadow a family relationship are important. The Sun (2007)We have to clear up the terrible mess he left behind. The Sun (2010)My ex just leaves an emotional mess for others to clear up. The Sun (2010)You can clear up misunderstandings, soothe emotions and ensure jealousy plays no part in family relationships. The Sun (2014)