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Glite Dictionary
to air out the situation

to air out the situation

5.6
Talk about a problem to make things clear and stop misunderstandings
  • phrasal verb
  • Informal
translation icon : aclarar la situación
  • Let's air out the situation before it gets worse.

Examples

  • It would be best to air out the situation instead of letting resentment build up.

  • Can we air out the situation during the meeting?

  • Before we move on, let's air out the situation so everyone is on the same page.

  • We need to air out the situation to avoid any further confusion among the team members.

  • Before we move on, let's air out the situation so everyone is on the same page.

  • It would be best to air out the situation instead of letting resentment build up.

  • We need to air out the situation to avoid any further confusion among the team members.

Synonyms

to sort out
vsto air out the situation
222 2.7

To find and fix a problem or confusion

is more about talking to explain facts rather than just fixing issues
to straighten out
vsto air out the situation
167 3.4

To solve a problem or make a misunderstanding clear

emphasizes discussion aimed at making the situation clear for decisions
to clear the air
vsto air out the situation
  • Informal
24 4.1

Help people stop feeling angry or worried by talking about the problem

focuses more on talking through facts to decide and clarify situations
to iron out
vsto air out the situation
22 3.8

Settle problems or disagreements by talking and finding a solution

places more weight on clarifying circumstances for understanding or decisions
to hash out
vsto air out the situation
  • Informal
20 4.6

Talk about details carefully to reach an agreement

is more about clarifying circumstances broadly, not only negotiating agreement
to resolve conflicts
vsto air out the situation
5 3.4

To find a fair way to end a disagreement between people

is centered on explaining and clarifying situation details rather than solving fights
to settle a disagreement
vsto air out the situation
1 3.1

Make people or groups agree after an argument

is broader, focusing on discussing to clarify or decide, not only disputes

Antonyms

to ignore
∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

to suppress
176 4.8

To stop public protest by force or by people in power

How Open

to air out the situation
  • Informal
5.6
to discuss
∞ 1.6
to bring up
788 2.6

Surface Forms

air out the situation infinitive
aired out the situation past
aired out the situation past participle
airing out the situation present participle
airs out the situation third person singular

Morphology

air + out + the + situation

The meaning 'to discuss or clarify' is a metaphorical extension of the literal 'air out' (ventilate) applied to a 'situation', so knowledge of the constituents gives a clear clue to the intended sense. However, the phrasal-verb use and figurative shift (especially the role of the particle 'out') make the exact interpretation somewhat idiomatic and not fully predictable for a B1 learner without prior exposure.

Etymology

Air out the situation uses the picture of opening windows to let fresh air into a stuffy room and remove bad smells, where air out is the action and situation is the room or problem. So, to air out the situation means 'to talk about a problem and clear away bad feelings or confusion'.