all clear: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumInformal, Semi-formal
Quick answer
What does “all clear” mean?
An official signal that a dangerous situation has ended and it is safe to proceed.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An official signal that a dangerous situation has ended and it is safe to proceed.
Permission, approval, or confirmation that an obstacle or problem has been resolved and normal activity can resume.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More commonly associated with WWII air raid sirens in British cultural memory. In American usage, often linked to storm/tornado warnings or security drills.
Connotations
UK: Strong historical/military association. US: Broader use for emergencies (weather, tests, security).
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties; slightly higher in UK due to historical resonance.
Grammar
How to Use “all clear” in a Sentence
[Subject] gives/gets/signals the all clearthe all clear [for/to + action]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “all clear” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The warden will all-clear the shelter once the siren stops.
- They haven't all-cleared the site yet.
American English
- The inspector all-cleared the building after the scan.
- We're waiting for them to all-clear the area.
adjective
British English
- We received an all-clear signal from headquarters.
- The all-clear message was broadcast nationally.
American English
- She got an all-clear result on her medical tests.
- An all-clear notification popped up on the screen.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Getting the all clear from legal before proceeding with the merger.
Academic
The ethics committee gave the all clear for the research study.
Everyday
We got the all clear to go back into the building after the fire drill.
Technical
The system diagnostic returned an all clear.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “all clear”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “all clear”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “all clear”
- Using as a verb (e.g., 'They all cleared the building' is different). Using 'all clear' without 'the' (need the definite article).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is typically written as two words ('all clear'), though hyphenated forms ('all-clear') are sometimes used when acting as a modifier before a noun (e.g., an all-clear signal).
Informally and rarely, it can be used as a phrasal verb ('to all-clear'), but this is non-standard. The standard usage is as a noun following verbs like 'give', 'get', or 'signal'.
It originates from military and civil defence terminology, specifically from the signal (often a siren) indicating that an air raid or other imminent danger was over and it was safe to emerge from shelters.
No, it is almost always used with the definite article 'the' (e.g., 'get the all clear', 'give the all clear'), as it refers to a specific, understood signal or permission.
An official signal that a dangerous situation has ended and it is safe to proceed.
All clear is usually informal, semi-formal in register.
All clear: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɔːl ˈklɪə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɔːl ˈklɪr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “get the all clear (from the doctor)”
- “wait for the all clear”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CLEAR sky after a storm—ALL dangers are gone. The phrase signals that ALL is now CLEAR.
Conceptual Metaphor
DANGER IS A CLOUD/OBSTRUCTION; SAFETY IS CLEAR SKIES/A CLEAR PATH.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'all clear' LEAST likely to be used?