clear the decks
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.
It is fair to argue it is unhealthy for English cricket to clear the decks after every failed Ashes expedition.
From BBC • Jan. 6, 2026
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
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
To prepare for action.—To clear away for this or that, is to get obstructions out of the way.—To clear the decks.
From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir
