to clear the decks

Examples

• All

• We need to clear the decks before we can start the new project.

• Listen, I need you to clear the decks.

  My All American (2015)

• Well, let's clear the decks and find out.

  Battle of the Year (2013)

• I'll just clear the decks before I start writing.

  Academic text (2008)

• I cleared the decks at the office, so I'll have the whole three days off.

  Houseguest (1995)

• I've cleared the decks at the office for three days.

  Houseguest (1995)

• Let's clear the decks and get this bunk ready for inspection.

  Fiction book (2002)

• In order to move forward, the team decided to clear the decks of any unfinished tasks.

Synonyms

C

to clean up

vsto clear the decks

• Informal

333 2.7

To finish dealing with things and put them in order

is used to remove tasks and obstacles before starting new work

G

to get it done

vsto clear the decks

134 2.8

To finish a task you need to do

is focused on finishing tasks to free time for upcoming work

C

to clear up

vsto clear the decks

12 2.6

To finish tasks completely so nothing is left

is done to remove obstacles before starting something new

C

to clean house

vsto clear the decks

• Informal

3 4.0

To remove unwanted people or things to make a group work better

is about removing current obstacles to prepare for a new initiative

M

to mop up

vsto clear the decks

• Informal

1 3.3

To finish the last parts of a job

focuses on clearing tasks to make way for a new activity

H

to have something over with

vsto clear the decks

• Informal

1 5.3

To finish something unpleasant so you stop worrying

is done to clear remaining tasks and obstacles before starting again

Antonyms

O

obstacle

343 3.4

A thing or problem that makes it hard to reach a goal

P

to procrastinate

26 6.5

To delay doing something you should do because you avoid it

How Prepared

to complete

∞ 1.0

to clear the decks

• Informal

4 5.7

to prepare for

487 2.8

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology