to set this straight
96
3.9
- phrasal verb
- Informal
:
aclarar esto
- Meanwhile, some of the media were too out of touch to set the record straight.
- set the record straight
Examples
-
And while we're setting the record straight, I'd also like to apologize to the American people.
Fiction book (1993) -
Next, I turn to my best friend from college, Buck, thinking he'll set me straight on the craziness of cryonics.
Academic text (2011) -
But now it falls to her to set the story straight.
Academic text (2003) -
I'm going up in there to set this straight.
-
"I want to tell him to his face that I'm sorry and set things straight.
Fiction book (1997) -
Occasionally, Sarah had an impulse to set the record straight, to tell him it was all a trick.
Fiction book (1997) -
If I don't set this straight, I'm in big trouble.
-
"I lowered my eyes, waiting for Thad to set his father straight.
Fiction book (2002) -
When Thomas Campion questioned the need for rhyme in English poetry, Daniel set him straight.
Academic text (2009) -
In her speech, she took a moment to set this straight and clarify the team's objectives.
Synonyms
545
3.4
Say something so other people understand what you mean
363
2.8
To make something easy to understand
248
3.3
To make something clear so others can understand it
172
2.3
To explain something so people understand it
167
3.4
To solve a problem or make a misunderstanding clear
42
3.2
Give the true facts to fix a wrong idea
5
4.2
To correct a wrong idea or explain what really happened
Antonyms
How Clear
42
3.2
- Informal
96
3.9
248
3.3
∞
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'to correct a misunderstanding' is directly derived from 'set' (to make or fix) combined with 'straight' (to make correct or honest) — literally to 'make this straight' or set it right. This compositional pattern (e.g. 'set someone straight', 'set the record straight') is common in English and found in similar forms in other languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents should be able to infer the meaning.
Etymology
Set this straight comes from the image of setting a crooked picture straight on the wall. So, to set this straight means 'to correct a misunderstanding' or 'make something clear'.