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clear out

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clear out (of some place)

to get out of some place. Will you all clear out of here? Please clear out!

See also: clear, out

clear out

to leave a place, esp. quickly We have to clear out of here soon to get to the airport on time, but you can stay around.

See also: clear, out

clear out

1. Also, clear away or off . Remove the contents, take something or someone away, as in I'll clear out this closet so you can use it, or Let me clear away these things, or Please clear off the table. The first phrase dates from the mid-1600s, the second from the mid-1700s, and the third from the early 1700s. Sometimes away and out are omitted, as in Let me clear these things, or Please clear the table. Also see clean up, def. 1.

2. Depart suddenly or run away, as in We cleared out before our landlord could stop us. [Early 1800s]

3. Drive or force out, as in The police cleared out the restaurant in no time. [Mid-1800s]

See also: clear, out

clear out

v.

1. To empty something of its contents or occupants: We cleared the living room out and turned it into a dance floor. Emergency crews cleared out the village ahead of the hurricane.

2. To remove some contents or occupants from a container or region: I opened up the old cabin and cleared the cobwebs out with a broom. We finally cleared out the junk in the attic.

3. To become free of occupants: The theater cleared out when the show ended.

4. To leave a place, usually quickly: The embassy advised us to clear out before the war started.

See also: clear, out

clear out

in. to leave; to depart. The boss gave me till next week to clear out. I’m fired—canned.

See also: clear, out