clear the way
idiom
1
: to make the area through which someone or something is trying to pass open and able to be used
She directed traffic to clear the way for the ambulance.
2
: to allow something to happen or develop
The truce would clear the way for further discussions between the two groups.
Examples of clear the way in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Outside groups, including centrists and progressives, formed unconventional alliances to clear the way for a head-to-head matchup between Trump and President Joe Biden, and later Vice President Kamala Harris.
—
Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 1 Nov. 2024
The electric atmosphere was also surprising considering the fraught history at Chavez Ravine, when Latino families were uprooted from neighborhoods there throughout the 1950’s to eventually clear the way for the construction of Dodger Stadium.
—Ed Guzman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024
The zoning changes, more than a year in the making, clear the way for an affordable housing project that will cater to LGBTQ+ seniors, property owners say.
—Joe Rubino, The Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2024
Shigeru Ishiba news spooks investors The Nikkei 225 dropped 4.8% as investors feared incoming Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will help clear the way for the Bank of Japan to raise interest rates.
—Brooke Seipel, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clear the way 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Tal Axelrod, ABC News, 1 Nov. 2024
The electric atmosphere was also surprising considering the fraught history at Chavez Ravine, when Latino families were uprooted from neighborhoods there throughout the 1950’s to eventually clear the way for the construction of Dodger Stadium.
—Ed Guzman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2024
The zoning changes, more than a year in the making, clear the way for an affordable housing project that will cater to LGBTQ+ seniors, property owners say.
—Joe Rubino, The Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2024
Shigeru Ishiba news spooks investors The Nikkei 225 dropped 4.8% as investors feared incoming Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will help clear the way for the Bank of Japan to raise interest rates.
—Brooke Seipel, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for clear the way
Dictionary Entries Near clear the way
Cite this Entry
“Clear the way.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/clear%20the%20way. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share