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

Mr Grigson was urged to "clear the decks" at MGN newspapers, it was claimed.

From BBC • May 24, 2023

UBS analysts said costs would be a focus for Deutsche's fourth-quarter earnings, noting that the bank has said it wants to "clear the decks of transformation charges and other costs" this year.

From Reuters • Jan. 24, 2022

Tottenham would like to clear the decks, too, but it has been unable to find a buyer for Serge Aurier, Moussa Sissoko or Harry Winks.

From New York Times • Aug. 7, 2021

We would clear the decks of it all in the morning.

From A Sea Queen's Sailing by Whistler, Charles W. (Charles Watts)

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