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3. in the clear

in the clear

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*in the clear

 

1. Lit. not obstructed; not enclosed. (*Typically: be ~; get [into] ~; get someone or something [into] ~.) You're in the clear. Go ahead and back up. Once the deer got into the clear, it ran away.

2. Fig. to be innocent; not to be guilty. (*Typically: be ~; get [into] ~; get someone or something [into] ~.) Don't worry, Tom. I'm sure you're in the clear. I'll feel better when I get into the clear.

See also: clear

in the clear

1. not guilty of a crime The government investigated charges against the company and decided it was in the clear.

2. not experiencing something bad Just when I thought I was in the clear, I came down with the flu.

See also: clear

in the clear

1. Free from danger or suspicion of wrongdoing, as in The evidence showed that the suspect was actually in the clear. [1920s]

2. Having enough money to make a profit, as in When they added up the box-office returns, they found they were several thousand dollars in the clear . [Slang; 1920s]

See also: clear

in the clear

1. Free from burdens or dangers.

2. Not subject to suspicion or accusations of guilt: The evidence showed that the suspect was actually in the clear.

See also: clear