Clear the air
/klɪə ði eə/informalUK · US
What does “Clear the air” mean?
Clear the air means to discuss a problem openly so that tension or misunderstanding can end.
Clearing the air means bringing a problem into the open. People explain what happened or how they feel so they can move forward.
It sounds hopeful, though the conversation itself may be uncomfortable. It suggests that leaving the problem unspoken would make things worse.
When do people say it?
Use it when people need to address an argument or an unspoken problem.
“We had a coffee and cleared the air after our argument.”
Is it formal or informal?
Register: informal. It is most at home in everyday conversation rather than formal writing. Most common in UK and US.
Where does it come from?
The image compares tension to unpleasant air that needs clearing. Its exact origin is not settled.
Origin confidence: Disputed; treat with caution
How do you say “Clear the air” in other languages?
Related idioms
- Water under the bridge, A past problem that no longer matters.
- The elephant in the room, An obvious issue nobody mentions.
Last reviewed 2026-09-12