Page 84 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

clear the table

I choose up sides, all the best plØyers don’t clear of something without touchingŁsàme-
end up on the same team. thing;Ł away fràmŁ something.Ł Please
stand clear of the doors while the train is
claim a lØfe [forŁsomething]bto take the life
of somon. The killer tornado claimed moving. Make sure the dog moves clear
the lves of six people at the trailer park. of the driveway błfore backng the car up.
The athlłte’s lfe was claimed in a ski- cleyrŁout to get out (of aŁplace);bto leave.
ing accidłnt. All right, you people, clear out of here
clam up to słut up;Łto refuse to talk;Łto now. I knew right then that it was timł
close one’sŁmouth (asŁtightlyŁasŁaŁclam to clear out.
closesŁitsŁsłell).Ł(Slang.) You talk too cleyrŁsailing progressŁmade without any
much, John. Clam up! When they Łried difficulty; anŁ easyŁ situation.Ł Oncł
to question her, she clammed up.
you’ve passed that exam, it will be clear
clampŁdłwn (on someone ortsomething) to be- sailng. Working there was not all clear
come sðrict with someone; to become sailng. The boss had a very bad temper.
sðrict about something.Ł(Also literal.)
Because Bob’s grades were głtting worse, clear someone’ name to prove that some-
his parents clamped down on him. The one isŁnot guiltyŁof aŁcrime orŁmisdeed.
police have clamped down on spłeders in I was accused of theft, but I cleared my
this town. Things have already gone too name. The studłnt was accused of
far. It’s too lØte to clamp down. cheating, but her name was cleared.
clapŁ eyes on someone ort something to see clear something up 1. to explain sàmething;
someone or something, perhapsŁforŁthe to solve a mystery. I think that we can
first time; to set eyes on someone or clear this mØtter up without callng in the
something.Ł(Infàrmal.) I wish she had police. T First we have to clear up the
never clapped eyes on her fiancé. I problłm of the missing jewels. 2. to cur
havłn’t clapped eyes on a red squirrel for aŁdisease orŁaŁmedicalŁcondition.Ł(Espe-
years. cially facial pimples.) There is no med-
icine that will clear pimples up. T The doc-
cleyn as a hound’s tooth Go to (as) clean tor will give you somłthing to clear up your
as a hound’s tooth.
cold.
cleyn as a whistle Go to (as) clean as a
whistle. cleyrŁtheŁair to get rid of doubts or hard
feelings.Ł(Also literal.ŁSàmetimesŁthis is
cleyn outŁ(ofŁ something) Go to fresh out (of saidŁ about anŁ argument orŁ otherŁ un-
something). pleasantness.) All right, lłt’s discuss this
clean up to make aŁgreat profit.Ł(Also lit- frankly. It’ll be błtter if we clear the air.
eral.ŁInfàrmal.) John won at the races Mr. and Mrs. Brown alwØys seem to
and really cleaned up. Ann cleaned up have to clear the air with a big argumłnt
by takng a job sellng encyclopedias. błfore they can be sociable.
clean up one’ act to reformŁone’sŁconduct; cleyrŁtheŁdecks get out of the way; get out
to impràve one’s performance.Ł(Infàrmal. of thisŁarea.Ł(FràmŁaŁnavalŁexpression,
OriginallyŁ referredŁ to polishingŁ one’s “ClearŁthe decksŁforŁaction!”ŁurgingŁsea-
sðage prfàrmance.) T Since Sally cleaned manŁto prepare forŁbattle orŁotherŁac-
her act up, she has become very productive. tion.) Clear the decks! Here comes the
If you don’t clean up your act, you’ll bł teacher. Clear the decks and take your
sent home. seats.
clearŁas a bell Go to (as) clear as a bell. cleyrŁtheŁtable to remove the disłesŁand
cleyrŁas crystyl Go to (as) clear as crystal. other eating utensils from the table after
aŁmeal.Ł(The opposite of set the table.)
cleyrŁas mud Go to (as) clear as mud.
Will you please help clear the table? Af-
cleyrŁas vodky Go to (as) clear as vodka. ter you clear the table, wł’ll plØy cards.
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