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clear up

A2 neutral separable both
In simple words

To tidy a place; to fix a misunderstanding; or for bad weather or a skin problem to get better.

Literal meaning: To make something clear (free of obstruction or confusion).

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To make a place tidy by removing mess or clutter.

"We need to clear up before the guests arrive."

Grammar: separable
2 B1 idiomatic neutral

To resolve a misunderstanding, confusion, or question.

"I'd like to clear up any misunderstanding about the company's refund policy."

Grammar: separable
3 A2 neutral

(of weather) To become brighter and less cloudy; (of an illness or skin condition) to improve or disappear.

"The rain should clear up by this afternoon, according to the forecast."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

A highly versatile phrasal verb with three common senses. The 'weather' and 'health' senses are intransitive. The 'misunderstanding' sense is very useful in business and academic contexts. The 'tidying' sense overlaps with 'clean up.'

Commonly used with

misunderstanding confusion mess weather skin infection mystery doubt

Forms

Base
clear up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
clears up
he/she/it
Past simple
cleared up
yesterday
Past participle
cleared up
have + pp
-ing form
clearing up
continuous

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