clear the atmosphere

clear the atmosphere

To alleviate tension, often in a group setting. Similar to the phrase "clear the air." I know my parents are still mad at me for missing curfew, so I'm going to try to clear the atmosphere this morning by apologizing profusely.
See also: atmosphere, clear
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • atmosphere
  • get hell
  • get the devil
  • catch hell
  • catch the devil
  • get hell for (something)
  • hell
  • sticking point
  • a sticking point
  • take the heat out of (something)
References in classic literature
With this lady (who assisted in the business) he lived in great domestic happiness, only chequered by those little storms which serve to clear the atmosphere of wedlock, and brighten its horizon.
And so Olson's remark helped to clear the atmosphere for the Allies at least, and then our attention was once more directed toward the river, for around us there had sprung up a perfect bedlam of screams and hisses and a seething caldron of hideous reptiles, devoid of fear and filled only with hunger and with rage.
However, 'the air temperature will lower and dry winds will begin blowing, which will clear the atmosphere.'
Maliki said during the meeting that "Iraq seeks to strengthen the positive role and adopt a policy to clear the atmosphere and defuse the crises," explaining that "the atmosphere of tension prevailing in the region is dangerous, and its dimensions are devastating, so we hope that the European Union role in calming the situation with regard to the "American-Iranian" dispute.
He said the NCF are determined to resolve the internal differences and to clear the atmosphere among its members in preparation for the confrontation of the regime.
The unprecedented rebellion by the cream of India's literary talent has however not been able to establish a clear consensus on what steps need to be taken to clear the atmosphere of intolerance in the country.
Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby has said the summit could be affected by "differences" and that there was an urgent need to clear the atmosphere.
Though part of that chat apparently ended up on the cutting room floor, it was clear the atmosphere was thicker than a pea souper in the days of old.
According to a statement by WAM, as a result of tireless efforts by Kuwaiti Emir Shaikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah to clear the atmosphere between the UAE and Oman, Sultan Qaboos Bin Said received in Muscat His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and General Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Shaikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs.
The two sides agreed to take all necessary measures and to do whatever is necessary to clear the atmosphere in terms of relations and that they would not let anything affect the brotherly historic ties between the two countries and peoples.
"I think it's clear the atmosphere will be just fantastic," Hoy said of the venue.
Amid these atmospheres and reality, the need arises for the Arab leaders to move in order to achieve inter-Arab reconciliation and clear the atmosphere for joint action and address the controversial issues, at the forefront of which is how to diplomatically brandish the Arab peace initiative and activate it internationally, in addition to rejecting the regional and foreign interference in the internal Arab issues.
But it is clear the atmosphere at the Finch Farm training complex has worsened since then.
Asked if the Arab League and the OIC would work together for an Arab-Iranian dialogue to clear the atmosphere between the two sides, Moussa said, "This is the prevailing trend so that conflicts will not go out of the regional context to an international one ...
A source told the Mirror: "It was clear the atmosphere was becoming a bit frosty.