1. Home
2. Idioms
3. atmosphere

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

you could cut the atmosphere with a knife

something that you say to describe a situation in which everyone is feeling very angry or nervous and you feel that something unpleasant could soon happen There was a lot of tension between Diane and Carol; you could cut the atmosphere in that room with a knife.

See Fish or cut bait, cut through like a knife through butter, to cut a long story short

See also: atmosphere, could, cut, knife