clear up

3 meanings

Meanings
  1. 1 explain something that was confusing or not clear B1
  2. 2 (of weather) stop being bad and become sunny B1
  3. 3 tidy or clean a place by putting things away B1
1 clear sth up

explain something that was confusing or not clear

B1

What does "clear up" mean in this sense?

To clear up a misunderstanding or confusion means to explain something so that it is no longer unclear or incorrect. You use it when there is doubt, a wrong idea, or a question in someone's mind, and you want to remove that confusion by giving an explanation. For example, if someone heard a rumour that isn't true, you might clear it up by telling them what really happened. It is a neutral phrase that works in both everyday conversation and professional situations like meetings or emails. The key idea is that confusion or doubt existed before, and after clearing it up, things are understood correctly.

Examples

How to use it

clear up + object (misunderstanding / confusion / matter)

The most common pattern, where the object names the thing being explained or resolved.

She called him to clear up the misunderstanding before it got worse.

clear + pronoun + up

When the object is a pronoun, it must go between 'clear' and 'up'.

There was some confusion about the schedule, but the manager cleared it up straight away.

clear + short noun object + up

Short noun phrases can go between 'clear' and 'up', and this sounds very natural.

Let me clear that matter up before we move on.

object + be + cleared up

The passive form is used when the focus is on the issue being resolved rather than on who resolved it.

The rumours about the company's closure have finally been cleared up.

would like / want / need to + clear up + object

Very common with modal expressions to signal that a clarification is coming.

I'd like to clear up a few points about the new policy before we start.

Common Collocations

clear up a misunderstandingclear up confusionclear up a few pointsclear up any doubtsclear up a mysteryclear up a matter

Common Mistakes

Pronoun in the wrong position

When the object is a pronoun like 'it', 'that', or 'them', it must come between 'clear' and 'up'. Putting the pronoun after 'up' is not correct in English.

✗ Can you clear up it before the meeting?
✓ Can you clear it up before the meeting?
Separating with a very long noun phrase

When the object is a long noun phrase, it is more natural to keep 'up' directly after 'clear' rather than putting the long phrase in between.

✗ She cleared the confusion about the new overtime rules and holiday payments up.
✓ She cleared up the confusion about the new overtime rules and holiday payments.
Confusing with 'sort out'

'Clear up' is specifically about removing confusion or false beliefs through explanation. 'Sort out' is better when you are actively fixing a practical problem, not just explaining something.

✗ We need to clear up the broken printer before the presentation.
✓ We need to sort out the broken printer before the presentation.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral and appropriate in both professional and informal contexts — you can use it in a business meeting or a casual conversation. Don't confuse it with 'clear up' meaning to tidy a room or for weather improving.

2 clear up

(of weather) stop being bad and become sunny

B1

Sense 2: What does "clear up" mean?

This sense of 'clear up' describes the moment when bad weather, especially rain, comes to an end and the sky becomes bright and fine again. It is almost always used with the impersonal subject 'it' or with a weather noun like 'the weather' or 'the sky'. People use it when they are hoping or predicting that rain will stop — for example, before a trip, a sports match, or a garden party. It is very common in everyday conversation, especially in British English, where talking about the weather is a national habit. You will often hear it with time expressions like 'by lunchtime' or 'later this afternoon' and with modal verbs like 'should' or 'might' to show a prediction or hope.

Examples

How to use it

it + clear up

The most common structure — 'it' is used as an impersonal subject to talk about the weather improving.

Hopefully it will clear up before we leave for the beach.

the weather / the sky + clear up

A weather noun can be used as the subject instead of impersonal 'it'.

The sky finally cleared up around three o'clock.

clear up + time expression

Time phrases like 'by lunchtime' or 'later this afternoon' are very commonly added to say when the weather is expected to improve.

The forecast says it should clear up by the weekend.

modal + clear up

Modal verbs like 'should', 'might', and 'will' are frequently used with this phrasal verb to express prediction or hope.

It might clear up in time for the outdoor concert.

it + be + starting to / beginning to + clear up

The present continuous form is used to describe the weather as it is actively improving at that moment.

Look outside — it's starting to clear up at last!

Common Collocations

it should clear upthe weather clears upclear up by lunchtimeclear up this afternoonit's starting to clear upfinally cleared up

Common Mistakes

Using it with a direct object

In this weather sense, 'clear up' never takes an object. If you add a noun after it, you are using a different sense of the phrasal verb (tidying or resolving something).

✗ It cleared up the sky after lunch.
✓ The sky cleared up after lunch.
Confusing with other senses of 'clear up'

'Clear up' can also mean to tidy a place or to resolve a problem, and these senses always take an object. The weather sense never does — the subject is always 'it', 'the weather', or 'the sky'.

✗ I hope it clears up the misunderstanding. (when you mean the weather)
✓ I hope it clears up before the picnic.
Using the present simple for the current moment

Saying 'it clears up' sounds strange when you are talking about what the weather is doing right now. Use the present continuous instead for something happening at this moment.

✗ Look — it clears up now!
✓ Look — it's clearing up now!

Usage

This is a neutral, everyday expression used in both spoken and written English with no formal or informal restrictions. It is especially common in British English conversation about the famously unpredictable weather.

3 clear (sth) up

tidy or clean a place by putting things away

B1

Sense 3: What does "clear (sth) up" mean?

To 'clear up' a place means to remove things that are out of place, deal with mess, and restore order to a physical space. You might clear up a kitchen after cooking, clear up toys from the floor, or clear up a garden after a party. It is slightly different from simply cleaning — the focus is on removing items and getting rid of disorder, rather than scrubbing surfaces. This phrasal verb is especially common in everyday British English, often in requests or instructions at home. It typically refers to a specific, noticeable mess rather than routine cleaning.

Examples

How to use it

clear up + place/mess

The most common pattern — use a noun referring to a physical space or mess directly after the particle.

Can you clear up the kitchen before our guests arrive?

clear + object + up

Short noun phrases can go between the verb and particle, which is very natural in everyday speech.

She cleared the table up before anyone had finished eating.

clear + pronoun + up

When the object is a pronoun, it must go between the verb and particle — never after 'up'.

There were toys all over the floor, so the kids cleared them up.

clear up after + person

Use this pattern to talk about tidying the mess that someone else has made.

I'm tired of always clearing up after everyone else.

be cleared up (passive)

The passive is natural when you want to focus on the result of the tidying rather than who did it.

Everything had been cleared up by the time the manager arrived.

Common Collocations

clear up the messclear up your roomclear up the kitchenclear up after yourselfclear up the toysclear up after a party

Common Mistakes

Pronoun placement

When the object is a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', it must go between 'clear' and 'up'. Putting it after 'up' is ungrammatical in English.

✗ Can you clear up it after you're done?
✓ Can you clear it up after you're done?
Confusing 'clear up' with 'clean up'

'Clean up' suggests removing dirt or washing surfaces, while 'clear up' focuses on removing objects and dealing with clutter or disorder. In British English, 'clear up' is the more natural choice after an event or activity.

✗ We need to clean up all these cups and plates from the table.
✓ We need to clear up all these cups and plates from the table.
Using an abstract object

This sense of 'clear up' only works with physical things — places, objects, or messes. Using it with abstract things like 'the confusion' or 'the situation' produces a different meaning (resolving a problem), not tidying.

✗ Let me clear up the misunderstanding by putting everything back in order.
✓ Let me clear up the mess by putting everything back in order.

Usage

This phrasal verb is especially common in British English for tidying after an event or activity. It is slightly more informal than 'tidy up' and often implies dealing with a noticeable mess.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'clear up' always mean explain something? I've heard it used in other ways.

No, 'clear up' has a few different meanings. It can mean to tidy a place (like 'clear up the kitchen') or it can describe weather becoming sunny. However, the object noun usually makes the meaning obvious — if the object is something like 'a misunderstanding', 'confusion', or 'a rumour', it means to explain or resolve it.

What kinds of things can you 'clear up'?

You can clear up things related to confusion, doubt, or false information — for example, a misunderstanding, a rumour, a mystery, confusion, a dispute, a mix-up, or any doubts someone has. The common idea is that something was unclear or incorrect, and you make it clear through explanation.

Can 'clear up' be used in formal writing or professional emails?

Yes, 'clear up' is neutral and works well in professional emails, meetings, and even some formal writing. If you need something more formal, 'clarify' or 'resolve' are possible alternatives, but 'clear up' is perfectly appropriate in most work contexts.

Can I use 'clear up' in the passive?

Yes, the passive is natural and common with this meaning. You use it when you want to focus on the issue that was resolved, rather than on the person who resolved it. For example: 'The misunderstanding was cleared up after the meeting.'

Is 'let me clear that up' a common expression?

Yes, it is very common, especially in meetings, interviews, and presentations. People use 'let me clear that up' or 'I'd like to clear up a few things' as a signal that they are about to correct a mistake or give an explanation. It is a useful phrase to learn for professional situations.

Does 'clear up' always mean the weather is getting better?

No — 'clear up' has other meanings too. It can mean tidying a place ('clear up the kitchen') or resolving a problem ('clear up a misunderstanding'). The weather sense is always intransitive, meaning no object follows the verb, and the subject is always 'it', 'the weather', or 'the sky'.

Can I use 'clear up' in the present simple to talk about current weather?

Not really — saying 'it clears up' for what is happening right now sounds unnatural. Use the present continuous: 'it's clearing up'. The present simple form works only for habits or general patterns, such as 'the weather usually clears up in the afternoon here'.

Is 'clear up' or 'brighten up' better for improving weather?

Both are natural and often interchangeable. 'Clear up' focuses on the rain stopping and the sky becoming clear, while 'brighten up' emphasises the sun coming out. In most everyday situations, either will sound perfectly natural.

What kind of subject can I use with this sense of 'clear up'?

The subject is almost always the impersonal 'it' ('it should clear up soon') or a weather word like 'the weather' or 'the sky'. You would never use a person as the subject in this weather sense.

Is 'clear up' used more in British English or American English?

Both varieties use it, but it is especially frequent in British English, where talking about the weather is very common in everyday conversation. You will hear it regularly in weather forecasts, casual chat, and news reports across all English-speaking countries.

Does 'clear up' always need an object, or can I use it without one?

You can use 'clear up' without a specific object when the context makes it obvious what needs to be tidied. For example, 'Make sure you clear up before you leave' is perfectly natural. However, the situation should still involve a physical space or mess — this intransitive use does not work when talking about the weather or about resolving a problem.

Is 'clear up' more British or American English?

It is more common in British English. American speakers tend to say 'clean up' or 'tidy up' in the same situations. If you are writing for an American audience, 'clean up' is likely the safer choice, though 'clear up' will still be understood.

Does 'clear up' have other meanings, or does it only mean tidying?

Yes, 'clear up' has other meanings too, but the objects or context make it easy to tell them apart. When the object is a physical place or mess, it means tidying. There are separate sections on this page covering the other senses.

Can I say 'clear up the big pile of dishes and leftovers on the counter'?

It's better to keep very long noun phrases after the particle rather than splitting them: 'clear up the big pile of dishes and leftovers on the counter' sounds more natural than trying to insert it between 'clear' and 'up'. Save the separated form for shorter phrases or pronouns.

Related Phrasal Verbs

clean (sth) up

Ready to practise?

Practise 1,000+ English phrasal verbs with interactive gap-fill exercises.

Start Practising →