📝 Easy to understand 🧹 To remove things 🌤️ No obstacles 💬 To explain 😌 No guilt ✅ To approve officially 💰 To earn money 🤧 To cough slightly 🆓 No blame 💧 To make pure 🏃‍♂️ To go over 🔔 Pure or sharp 🗑️ To erase data 📄 No claims 🔊 Easily understood

to clear

118 3.7

To make a short rough sound to remove mucus from the throat

verb
/klɪr/

: aclararse la garganta

"Uh, Dr. Scarpetta," he said, clearing his throat, "this was inside the fridge."
clear one's throat

I could always hear my best self clearing his throat in the room next door.

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Examples

Again, Faye didn't move, but she did clear her throat and the sound she made was about two octaves deeper than the real phase voice.
He needed to clear his throat before making the important announcement.
I just heard my wife clear her throat, which means move on quickly.
Now clear your throat and dry these tears.
When he finally moves his mouth, it is to clear his throat.

Fiction book (1990)
Do you mind clearing your throat for me real quick?
"Perhaps you can give me an outline from which to begin?" Helen cleared her throat.

Fiction book (1990)
After a few minutes, the judge cleared his throat and said, 'Mr. Cook, I think he's had enough.'

Academic text (2009)
When Robert couldn't stand the silence any longer, he cleared his throat and said, "Maybe we should get started."

Academic text (2008)
Her voice was husky from disuse, and she cleared her throat discreetly.

Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

to cough

vsto clear

254 1.0

To push air out of the lungs suddenly, often to clear the throat

is specifically a rasping action to remove airway mucus rather than general air expulsion

to hawk

vsto clear

Informal

4 8.9

To clear the throat loudly by bringing up mucus

is less forceful and usually without preparing to spit

to clear the throat

vsto clear

2.7

To cough slightly to remove mucus from your throat or to get attention

is a rasping action to free the airway of mucus more generally

Antonyms

to obstruct

119 5.1

To block a path or view

Idioms

in the clear

Informal

33 4.4

Not in danger, trouble, or under suspicion

the coast is clear

Informal

11 3.2

Safe to go because no one is watching

to see one's way clear

Informal

3 8.0

Decide you can do something after problems are solved

clear and to the point

1 3.7

Easy to understand without extra details

Phrasal Verbs

to make oneself clear

545 3.4

Say something so other people understand what you mean

to clear up

172 2.3

To explain something so people understand it

to clear out

91 3.1

Remove all things from a place so it becomes empty

to clear up

51 2.0

To become clear after cloudy or rainy weather

to steer clear of

Informal

34 4.0

To stay away from people and things that may cause trouble or harm

to clear the air

Informal

24 4.1

Help people stop feeling angry or worried by talking about the problem

to clear the table

16 1.1

Remove dishes and other things from the table after a meal

to clear up

12 2.6

To finish tasks completely so nothing is left

to clear away

10 1.8

To take things away from a place to make it tidy

to clear off

8 3.0

Remove things from a surface to make it empty or clean

to clear the decks

Informal

4 5.7

Finish current tasks and remove problems to prepare for something new

to clear out

2 4.6

Remove mucus from the chest or lungs by coughing

to clear-cut

Specialized

2 6.1

To cut down all the trees in an area at once

to clear one's head

1 3.9

To stop thinking about upsetting or confusing thoughts to feel calmer

to clear someone's mind

1 3.7

To stop worrying and think calmly to focus

to clear the table

Specialized

1 4.2

Remove all rows from a database table to make it empty

to clear (someone's) inbox

Texting

3.0

Deal with all the emails in your inbox so it is empty or easy to handle

to clear the throat

2.7

To cough slightly to remove mucus from your throat or to get attention

to set a clear boundary

4.1

To make a clear line between two areas or kinds of activity

Compounds

crystal clear

Informal

43 2.5

Very easy to understand or hear

clear-cut

27 4.2

Easy to see and understand

all clear

Formal

26 3.2

A signal like a siren or announcement that tells people it is safe after an emergency

clear sign

10 1.3

An obvious thing that shows something is true

clear and present danger

Formal

7 7.6

A legal rule that allows stopping speech when it poses a serious, obvious threat to public safety

clear statement

5 2.1

A message that clearly shows someone's opinion or decision and is easy to understand

crystal clear

5 3.1

Completely see-through so you can easily see inside

clear sailing

Informal

2 3.5

A time when things move forward easily and without problems

clear-cutting

Specialized

2 5.2

Cutting down all the trees in an area at once

clear communication

1 2.5

An exchange of information that people understand easily

clear-air turbulence

Specialized

1 8.4

Sudden strong air movement in clear sky that shakes airplanes

clear liquid diet

Specialized

1 3.7

Only clear drinks and foods like broth, juice or gelatin for medical reasons

clear blue sea

1 1.2

A calm part of the ocean that has very clear blue water

clear alignment

3.9

A clear agreement with an idea, policy, or group

clear battle line

5.4

A clear division between two groups that shows who supports each side in a dispute

clear glaze

Specialized

4.1

A clear, thin layer put on wood or other surfaces to protect them and make them look shiny

clear-eyed analysis

6.0

An honest, fair look at the facts

How Forceful

to hack

8 5.8

to clear

118 3.7

to cough

254 1.0

Surface Forms

clear infinitive

cleared past

cleared past participle

clearing present participle

clears third person singular

Etymology

To clear your throat is to make your voice bright and ready, and this fits the old root clarus meaning 'bright' or 'plain', because you want your sound to be clear and easy to hear.