clear the decks

C

clear the decks

Meaning

• to deal with any obstacles that could get in the way of a plan of action or an event.
• to get rid of pointless things so that you are ready to take action.
• complete less important tasks so an important project can begin.
• get ready for action.

Examples in a Sentence

1. We need to clear the decks and get our project done on time.
2. It was time to clear the decks and get ready for a new challenge.
3. The team had to clear the decks so they could focus their attention on the new project.
4. Let’s clear the decks and get ready for our next task.
5. The American Petroleum Institute is clearing the decks for setting up many huge new projects around the globe.

Origin

The phrase “clear the decks” has been around for centuries, with first use attributed to British sailor John Smith in 1630. According to John Smith, the phrase was taken from a command given by admirals of Royal Naval ships when they were preparing for battle. Naval personnel were instructed to clear the deck, discard unnecessary items, and report to their designated stations. This order has been translated into many contexts since then; it symbolizes the need for a thorough level of preparedness in any venture one pursues if they are determined to be successful. The original phrase still rings true today as an everlasting reminder that success often requires careful planning and discipline.

To “clear the decks” is an idiom frequently employed when one wishes to prepare for an important endeavor. It originates in naval warfare, where crew members would organize and put aside all nonessential items before battle began; essentially, they cleared the ship’s deck of all debris. This expression has now made its way into everyday language as we get ready for significant activities – both figuratively and literally. Nowadays, this phrase still retains a sense of urgency and importance, being used to emphasize that whatever needs to be done needs to be done quickly and efficiently so that something crucial can move forward.

About the Author

Elena Jones holds a PhD in Education from Harvard University. She has extensive experience teaching at both the K–12 and university levels, with a particular focus on English as a Second Language. Elena has dedicated her career to advancing educational practices, and she has contributed to numerous educational journals.

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