clear the decks, to

clear the decks

 1. Lit. [for everyone] leave the deck of a ship and prepare for action. (A naval expression urging seaman to stow gear and prepare for battle or other action.) An attack is coming. Clear the decks. 2. Fig. get out of the way; get out of this area. Clear the decks! Here comes the teacher. Clear the decks and take your seats.See also: clear, deck

clear the decks

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] See also: clear, deck

clear the decks

mainly BRITISH or

clear the deck

AMERICANCOMMON If someone clears the decks, they finish what they are doing so that they are ready to start doing something else. The British commanders had wanted to clear the decks for possible large-scale military operations. Clear the decks before you think of taking on any more responsibilities. Note: In the past, all unnecessary objects were cleared off the decks or floors of a warship before a battle, so that the crew could move around more easily. See also: clear, deck

clear the decks

prepare for a particular event or goal by dealing beforehand with anything that might hinder progress. In the literal sense, clear the decks meant to remove obstacles or unwanted items from the decks of a ship before a battle at sea.See also: clear, deck

clear the decks, to

To prepare for action. This term comes from naval warfare. In the times of wooden sailing ships, a crew prepared for battle by fastening down or removing all loose objects on the decks, lest they get in the way or cause an injury. By the eighteenth century the term was being used to mean getting ready for any major undertaking by getting small details out of the way. See also batten down the hatches.See also: clear