clear the decks

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 Supplement

* * *

clear the decks (figurative)
To clear away everything surplus, so as to prepare for action
• • •
Main Entry: ↑clear
————————
clear the decks
To tidy up, remove encumbrances, esp in preparation for action (orig naval action, now often figurative)
• • •
Main Entry: ↑deck

* * *

clear the decks phrase
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.

Thesaurus: to get rid of something or someonesynonym remove by cuttinghyponym
Main entry: clear

* * *

I
prepare for a particular event or goal by dealing with anything beforehand that might hinder progress
II
see clear

* * *

clear the decks (also clear the deck)
: to get ready for action or for something new : to get rid of something to make room for something else

He wants to clear the decks before the election campaign starts.

Firing the CEO will clear the decks for change within the company.

• • •
Main Entry: ↑deck

* * *

clear the ˈdecks idiom
(informal) to prepare for an activity, event, etc. by removing anything that is not essential to it
Main entry: ↑clearidiom

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?

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 — {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 — 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

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”