straighten

B1 · Intermediate

v. to put things in their proper place or make a room neat.

v. to put in order or tidy a physical space or collection of objects.

“I need to straighten my desk before I can start working on the new project.”

“The staff spent the hour before the gallery opening straightening the displays and ensuring every brochure was perfectly aligned.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to make your body straight after you have been bending or sitting.

v. to assume an upright posture, especially after stooping, bending, or sitting.

“He straightened his back and took a deep breath after hours of gardening.”

“The elderly man straightened with a visible effort, wincing as his joints adjusted to the vertical position.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal

v. to explain something clearly so there is no more confusion.

v. to clarify a situation, concept, or misunderstanding for an audience.

“Let me straighten the facts for you so you understand what really happened.”

“The manager called a meeting to straighten out the conflicting reports regarding the budget deficit.”

C2 · Proficiency Law Slang

v. to give someone money secretly so they will do something dishonest for you.

v. to bribe or corrupt an official or individual to ensure a specific outcome.

“The gang tried to straighten the witness before the trial started.”

“Rumours circulated that the developer had managed to straighten several members of the planning committee to ensure the permit was approved.”

C1 · Advanced Informal

v. to try to make someone heterosexual.

v. to attempt to change a person's sexual orientation to heterosexuality.

“The film explores the pressure he felt from his family to straighten himself out.”

“The documentary critiqued historical attempts by institutions to straighten individuals through coercive psychological methods.”