clear the decks

Idioms

Prepare for action, as in I've finished all these memos and cleared the decks for your project, or Clear the decks—here comes the coach. This expression originated in naval warfare, when it described preparing for battle by removing or fastening down all loose objects on the ship's decks. [Second half of 1800s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The EIA, Abbey declared, “must clear the decks of unfinished projects,” “recruit and retain the best talent” and “develop the most powerful analytical capabilities.”

From Salon • May 6, 2025

He claimed he told Mr Grigson to "clear the decks of all taint", after looking at MGN for a possible investment.

From BBC • May 16, 2023

It’s time to clear the decks of a few questions I’ve received recently, but first I want to share some alarming new information about melatonin gummies.

From Seattle Times • May 15, 2023

A barrage of major central bank decisions and a critical U.S. consumer price inflation reading this week likely clear the decks in what has been an "annus horribilis" for world markets.

From Reuters • Dec. 12, 2022

No woman's pining or longing to fetter the man: clear the decks for action!

From Together by Herrick, Robert

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023