clear the field

USAGE SUMMARY

"clear the field" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it in situations when you are referring to the need to clear an area such as a field, so it could be used in a variety of contexts. For example, you could say "The farmers had to clear the field in order to prepare it for sowing".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Politics

Agriculture

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The first thing is to clear the field".

The New York Times - Books

Does it mean he will clear the field?

The New York Times

This Democratic presidential candidate is about to clear the field.

The Washington Post

Most of the time, they find nothing, and sanitation workers clear the field.

The New York Times

Mr. Kerry is hoping another victory will clear the field of the other Democratic contenders.

The New York Times

There are no obvious contenders strong enough to clear the field.

The New York Times

It's best to clear the field when the poppy has blossomed.

Independent

"It took awhile to clear the field," said Gatto, who had left the game with an injured hamstring.

The New York Times - Sports

The fact that Mrs. Clinton seems poised to clear the field is the surest evidence that 2016 is not 2008.

The New York Times

To be sure, presidents of both parties have used political appointments to try to clear the field for political allies.

The New York Times

Although she endorsed Mr Juncker as the EPP's Spitzenkandidat, she made clear the field was wide open.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clear the field" when you want to convey the idea of removing obstacles or competitors to create space or opportunity for someone or something else. It's applicable in both literal and figurative contexts, from sports to politics.

Common error

Avoid using "clear the field" when a more direct verb like "clean", "remove", or "sweep" would be clearer and more appropriate. The phrase is most effective when used metaphorically to suggest a strategic advantage or elimination of competition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear the field" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used metaphorically to describe the act of removing obstacles or competitors to create a clear path or advantage. As noted by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts from politics to sports.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Sports

15%

Politics

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

7%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clear the field" is a versatile verb phrase with a primary function of describing the removal of obstacles or competitors, as validated by Ludwig. Its usage spans from literal scenarios, like clearing a physical field, to metaphorical contexts in politics and sports. The phrase, as indicated by Ludwig AI, is considered grammatically correct. It is most frequently found in news and media, with a neutral register leaning towards professional contexts. When looking for alternative phrasing, consider options like "eliminate contenders" or "remove obstacles" depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

empty the space

Focuses on the physical act of making a space empty.

vacate the area

Emphasizes leaving or making an area unoccupied.

eliminate contenders

Specifically refers to removing competition in a contest.

remove obstacles

Highlights the removal of impediments or barriers.

sweep away opposition

Suggests a forceful removal of opposing forces.

make way for

Implies creating a path or opportunity for something else.

open the path

Focuses on creating a route or direction forward.

push aside rivals

Indicates actively moving competitors out of the way.

expel the occupants

Formal term for removing people from a place.

demolish the structure

Refers to the physical destruction of a building or infrastructure.

FAQs

How is "clear the field" used in politics?

In politics, "clear the field" often refers to the strategic act of persuading potential candidates to drop out of a race, thereby increasing the chances for a preferred candidate. For example, a party leader might try to "clear the field" for a specific individual to ensure a unified front.

What does it mean to "clear the field" in sports?

In sports, "clear the field" can literally mean removing players from an area of play, or metaphorically mean dominating a competition to such an extent that other competitors have little chance of winning. It can also be about actually removing objects from the playing field.

Are there synonyms for "clear the field" that I can use?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "eliminate contenders", "remove obstacles", or "make way for". The best choice will depend on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is "clear the field" formal or informal?

The phrase "clear the field" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, it's more common in news reports, political analysis, and sports commentary than in highly formal academic writing.