Clear is a verb with a series of very useful meanings, which, coming as they come from the noun clear (“clear”), tend to indicate images like this: “clarify”, “clean”, “clarify” …
Today we’re going to see how to use the phrasal verb clear up . As it has a series of meanings, we will get our hands dirty. Open your Anki and get ready to write down five different meanings.
1 – Firstly, clear up is used to say that “time has opened” or that we want “time to improve”. We are talking, of course, about meteorological “weather”, not interstellar “weather”. Note that it is not necessary to use the word “time” ( the weather ) – if the context already be clear what you’re referring to, just use the pronoun it .
It’s supposed to clear up tonight.
The weather must open at night.
I hope it clears up in time for the picnic.
I hope the weather opens in time for the picnic.
(Note that in time for does not need to be followed by a verb; in Portuguese, the tendency is to follow “in time” with the verb in question.)
Let’s hope the weather clears up .
Hopefully the weather will improve .
It all depends on the weather clearing up .
It all depends on the weather getting better .
We can go to the beach if the weather clears up .
We can go to the beach if the weather opens .
2 – Clear up means “clarify” or “resolve” (a situation, doubt, etc.). Note that the verb can also be used in a reflexive way, where the subject and the object coincide. For example, both to say “he clarified the issue” and “the question clarified”.
There should be someone to whom you can turn for any advice or to clear up any problems.
There should be someone you could turn to for advice or to solve any problems.
During dinner the confusion was cleared up : they had mistaken me for Kenny.
During dinner the confusion was cleared up : they had mistaken me for Kenny .
Obviously the misunderstanding will have to be cleared up .
Obviously the disagreement will have to be clarified .
The case was never cleared up .
The case was never resolved .
This article should clear up some of the confusion surrounding my new theory.
This article should clear up some of the confusion surrounding my new theory.
At about the middle of the very confusing lecture, things began to clear up .
Around halfway through the very confusing lecture, things started to get clearer .
I was having trouble, but things are beginning to clear up .
I was having difficulties, but things are starting to clear up .
3 – Clear up also has the meaning of “leaving” or “disappearing”. It is used in this sense to refer to negative things, especially health problems.
Most colds clear up after only a few days.
Most colds disappear after only a few days.
If my cold doesn’t clear up , it will ruin my vacation.
If my cold doesn’t go away , it will ruin my vacation.
Acne often clears up after the first three months of pregnancy.
Pimples often disappear after the first three months of pregnancy.
I hope the traffic clears up before I have to drive home.
I hope the traffic disappears before I have to drive home.
4 – Another sense is similar to what we just saw: it is used as “remove”, “clean” or “make disappear” any disease or problem.
Antibiotics should be used to clear up the infection.
Antibiotics should be used to make the infection go away .
She bought a lotion to clear up acne.
She bought a cream to remove pimples.
That acne cream cleared up my skin practically overnight.
That pimple cream cleaned my skin practically overnight.
The doctor thinks this new allergy medicine will clear my symptoms right up .
The doctor thinks this new allergy medicine will make my symptoms go away straight away .
(In that last sentence you notice two things: first, that the object can be inserted between clear and up; this is something that can be done with a good portion of phrasal verbs, but the way is to learn in practice. The other thing to note is the adjective right, which is also inserted between the two parts of the phrasal verb to emphasize the action.)
5 – Finally, clear up means “fix” or “fix things”. In that sense, it is more used in British English.
After breakfast they played while I cleared up .
After breakfast they played while I tidied up .
I cleared up my room.
I tidied up my room.
Dad was clearing up in the kitchen.
Dad was packing up in the kitchen.
I’m tired of always having to clear up after you.
I’m tired of always having to pack things up for you.
(It is said after you, which would literally be “after you”, that is, after you pass and make a mess.)
That brings us to the end of the article. And no, we couldn’t miss the opportunity to say: I hope it cleared up your doubts regarding “clear up” !