Clear the air
(PW)calm anger and remove misunderstanding
We were tired of fighting, so we decided to start talking and clear the air.
(free) clear the air
To dispel differences or emotional tensions.
(dictionary)
clear the air or clear the atmosphere
to get rid of emotional tensions, misunderstandings, etc.
(PhraseFinder)
: : I'm trying to find out if the phrase "clear the air" exists and if it does in what context do you use it?
: Brewer simply gives a literal meaning;
: To clear the air. To remove the clouds, mists, and impurities.
: Figuratively, it means to remove suspicion and tension. If there are bad relations between you and another person, you could have a meeting to clear the air.
We were having problems but the argument helped clear the air.
CLEAR THE AIR - "Remove obstructions or obscurities that have complicated an issue. The literal origin is in what the sun and the wind do to remove or dissipate clouds after a storm. The figurative meaning was in use by 1380, when John Wyclif wrote that 'winds of truth should blow away heresies, and clear the airs of holy church, which is now full troubled." From "The Dictionary of Cliches" by James Rogers (Wings Books, Originally New York: Facts on File Publications, 1985).
