clear the decks

clear the decks
clear the decks
1. Lit. [for everyone] leave the deck of a ship and prepare for action. (A naval expression urging seaman to stow gear and prepare for battle or other action.) •

An attack is coming. Clear the decks.

2. Fig. get out of the way; get out of this area. •

Clear the decks! Here comes the teacher.

Clear the decks and take your seats.

* * *
{v. phr.} To put everything in readiness for a major activity; to eliminate unessentials. * /The governor urged the State Assembly to clear the decks of all but the most pressing issues to vote on./

Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • clear the decks — {v. phr.} To put everything in readiness for a major activity; to eliminate unessentials. * /The governor urged the State Assembly to clear the decks of all but the most pressing issues to vote on./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • clear the decks — When you clear the decks, you get ready for an important action and put away items that might get in your way …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • clear the decks — clear away things and prepare for action Let s clear the decks and get everyone out of the house so we can begin work …   Idioms and examples

  • clear the decks — ► clear the decks prepare for something by dealing beforehand with anything that might hinder progress. Main Entry: ↑clear …   English terms dictionary

  • clear the decks — phrasal 1. : to clear for action 2. : to remove all impediments to or make everything ready for a particular course of action or series of developments clearing the decks so that we can now set about attacking the real problems Times Literary… …   Useful english dictionary

  • clear\ the\ decks — v. phr. To put everything in readiness for a major activity; to eliminate unessentials. The governor urged the State Assembly to clear the decks of all but the most pressing issues to vote on …   Словарь американских идиом

  • clear the decks — informal to finish dealing with what you are doing so that you can start to do something more important. His company is clearing the decks for major new investment in the Far East …   New idioms dictionary

  • clear the decks — to get rid of everything that is not needed, or to deal with everything that needs to be done so that you can start doing something more important The Government has cleared the decks for an early general election …   English dictionary

  • clear the decks — Synonyms and related words: abstract, arrange, ballast, blow, blow out, break bulk, break out ballast, cast off, cast out, chuck, clean out, clean up, clear, clear away, clear for action, clear off, clear out, clear up, consider every angle, cure …   Moby Thesaurus

  • clear the decks — prepare for something by dealing beforehand with anything that might hinder progress. → clear …   English new terms dictionary

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