air out

Let fresh air reach something to remove bad smells or make it dry.

• We need to air out the bedroom.
• She aired out her damp coat outside.
• Have you aired the sleeping bags out yet?

How to use it: air something out (Open the windows to air the room out.)

Similar words: air, ventilate

Common phrases: air out something, air out bedding, air out rooms

Talk openly about a problem or disagreement that people have avoided discussing.

• Let us air out our concerns.
• They aired out their disagreements over dinner.
• Have you aired that problem out with your manager?

How to use it: air something out (We should air our differences out before the next meeting.)

Similar words: discuss openly, air

Common phrases: air out grievances, air out problems, air out something

Fire many shots into a place, especially a building.

• The gang threatened to air out the club.
• Gunmen aired out the empty warehouse last night.
• Police feared they would air the building out again.

How to use it: air something out (The witnesses said the gang had aired the house out.)

Similar words: shoot up

Common phrases: air out something, air out buildings

Throw the ball through the air, especially with long passes in American football.

• The quarterback decided to air out the ball.
• They aired it out instead of running.
• Will the team air it out more next season?

How to use it: air something out (The quarterback likes to air the ball out.)

Similar words: throw long passes

Common phrases: air out passes, air out something