clear up

To explain something so that people understand it correctly or no longer feel confused.

• Let me clear up one point.
• The teacher cleared up our confusion about the homework.
• Have the police cleared up the mystery yet?

How to use it: clear something up (Can you clear this misunderstanding up?)

Similar words: clarify, explain

Opposites: confuse

Common phrases: clear up confusion, clear up something

For a problem or sign of illness to go away.

• The rash cleared up.
• Her symptoms cleared up after a week of treatment.
• Has your cough cleared up yet?

Similar words: go away, disappear

Opposites: appear

Common phrases: clear up quickly, clear up completely

For bad weather to end and the sky to become brighter or calmer.

• The weather is clearing up.
• It cleared up after lunch, so we went outside.
• Will it clear up before the picnic?

Similar words: improve, brighten up

Common phrases: clear up later, clear up soon

To remove rubbish or put things away so that a place is tidy.

• Please clear up this mess.
• We cleared up after the party.
• Who will help me clear the kitchen up?

How to use it: clear something up (We cleared the kitchen up after dinner.); clear up after someone/something (I am tired of clearing up after you.)

Similar words: tidy up, clean up

Common phrases: clear up something, clear up afterwards

For skin to lose spots or other marks and become healthy again.

• My skin is clearing up.
• Her face cleared up after she changed her skin cream.
• Will this treatment help my skin clear up?

Similar words: improve, heal

Common phrases: clear up naturally, clear up completely

In snooker or pool, to hit every remaining ball into a hole during one turn.

• She cleared up to win.
• He cleared up from the last red to the black.
• Can she clear up without missing a shot?

Similar words: clear the table

Common phrases: clear up successfully, clear up completely