“clear the decks”
To clear the decks means to remove obstacles, finish outstanding tasks, or get rid of distractions in order to prepare for a major effort or upcoming challenge. The phrase comes from the naval practice of clearing a ship's deck before battle. Listen to how native speakers pronounce "clear the decks" in the video clips below.
Hear how "clear the decks" sounds in real speech — 1,000 examples from 9 videos, movies, and TV shows. Sources: The Sandman, Dexter 20 06, Mad Men, Ali Abdaal, PowerfulJRE and 4 more.
1,000
clips found
9
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Examples in video
YouTubeAli Abdaal375K views · 2022-05-18
Life Is 4,000 Weeks. You’re Already Burning Through Them.
“clear the decks of all of these small”
writing a book and we instead try to … but urgent tasks that we just need to
Play at 4:32
YouTubePowerfulJRE20.7M views · 2024-11-04
Joe Rogan Experience #2223 - Elon Musk
“to clear the decks here um and and I'm”
million of them so we have we we've got … not saying we shouldn't have Regulators
Play at 2:14:03
YouTubeLex Fridman1.3M views · 2024-09-25
Vivek Ramaswamy: Trump, Conservatism, Nationalism, Immigration, and War | Lex Fridman Podcast #445
“You clear the decks of 75% of them”
will swallow them whole. … real innovators can then show up.
Play at 29:14
TV ShowThe Sandman
The Sandman — S01E07
“♪ Clear the decks, clear the tracks ♪”
♪ Honey, everything's coming up roses ♪ … ♪ You've got nothing to do but relax ♪
Play at 35:08
Can't play this one yet, but your timecode is ready — 35:08
YouTubePowerfulJRE20.7M views · 2024-11-04
Joe Rogan Experience #2223 - Elon Musk
“don't kind of clear the decks but we”
like like well we're going to lose if we … haven't really had an existential threat
Play at 2:13:36
YouTubeThe Diary Of A CEO2.7M views · 2024-02-29
The Narcissism Doctor: "1 In 6 People Are Narcissists!" How To Spot Them & Can They Change?
“them once we clear the decks of that is”
there's something narcissistic about … there a subset of people out there who
Play at 49:16
TV ShowDexter 20 06
Dexter 20 06 — S02E02
“I need to clear the decks.”
Do not discuss this case. … And my head.
Play at 21:29
Can't play this one yet, but your timecode is ready — 21:29
YouTubeGordon Ramsay459K views · 2025-11-07
Gordon’s BIGGEST Arguments | BRAND NEW Season Kitchen Nightmares | Compilation | Gordon Ramsay
“You need to clear the decks, just for”
everywhere. You need to let go. … your own sanity, so we can focus on
Play at 36:16
TV ShowMad Men
Mad Men — S02E06
“Well, let us clear the decks.”
No. That sounds good. … 6:30 at the Tom-Tom.
Play at 38:16
Can't play this one yet, but your timecode is ready — 38:16
YouTubeThe Iced Coffee Hour142K views · 2024-04-21
“This Keeps 99% Broke & Depressed” - Fix This NOW | Dr. John Delony
“clear the deck for you because people in”
there y'all can't handle this we'll go … my generation were bullied so bad and so
Play at 2:29:50