straighten up/ straighten out/ put smth. in order

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you be so kind to tell me your opinion concerning the following sentences?

So far things haven’t straightened up though we expected them to so eagerly.

Mrs. Johnson straightened up the house before company came.

He tried unsuccessfully to straighten his extravagant tie

straighten up = put in order, make neat

I hope things will straighten out.

I'd like to see world affairs straighten out.

We have to put our own house in order.

I happened to straighten out this tangle.

Thanks for your efforts.

Regards,

V

[riquecohen]

Dear teachers,

Would you be so kind to tell me your opinion concerning the following sentences?

So far things haven’t straightened up though we expected them to so eagerly. I would use straighten out here.

Mrs. Johnson straightened up the house before company came.

He tried unsuccessfully to straighten his extravagant tie (or straighten out.)

straighten up = put in order, make neat

I hope things will straighten out.

I'd like to see world affairs straighten out.

We have to put our own house in order.

I happened to straighten out this tangle.

Thanks for your efforts.

Regards,

V

Your sentences are correct, except for the first one.
Straighten up, as it applies to behavior, means in AmE, "to behave well after behaving badly." (Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary) "He straightened up after he was punished by his father."