clear the decks
Remove all obstacles
Clear the decks means to prepare for action by removing obstacles or finishing preliminary tasks.
The phrase comes from naval warfare, where crews cleared equipment from ship decks before battle.
Now it applies to any situation requiring focused attention: Let me clear the decks before we start the new project.
She cleared the decks by answering all her emails first thing.
Remove unnecessary items
- organizePut into systematic order
- clean upRestore order to
- sort throughReview to organize
- purgeEliminate unwanted elements
dispose · discard · remove · sweep away · make space · unclutter · straighten · neaten
Suitable for use now
- mobilizeOrganize for action
- braceDevice providing structural stability
- battlestationsCombat-ready crew positions
- alertWarning or watchfulness
anticipate · strategize · gear up · batten down · prepare · prioritize · focus · streamline
declutter
Remove unnecessary items
- organizePut into systematic order
- clean upRestore order to
- sort throughReview to organize
purge · dispose · discard · remove · sweep away · make space · unclutter · straighten · neaten · toss out
ready
Suitable for use now
- mobilizeOrganize for action
- braceDevice providing structural stability
- battlestationsCombat-ready crew positions
alert · anticipate · strategize · gear up · batten down · prepare · prioritize · focus · streamline · simplify
- getting readyget ready, readying, be prepared, equipping, gear up
- Nautical Idiomsbatten down the hatches, smooth sailing, three sheets to the wind, in the same boat, rock the boat
- nautical termsahoy, afloat, aye aye, aye-aye, becalmed
clear the decksclutter up
Fill with disorder
muddy the waters · throw a wrench in the works · bog down · get in the way · hamstring
clear the decksclutter up
Fill with disorder
pile on · load up · heap up · accumulate · cram
clear the decksprocrastinate
Delay action unnecessarily
defer · put off · kick the can down the road · backlog · shelve
clear, deck, clearly, unclear, clarity, cleared, clarify, clearing, decks