in the clear

*in the clear

1. Lit. not obstructed; not enclosed. (*Typically: be \in the clear; get [into] \in the clear; get someone or something [into] \in the clear.) •

You're in the clear. Go ahead and back up.

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Once the deer got into the clear, it ran away.

2. Fig. to be innocent; not to be guilty. (*Typically: be \in the clear; get [into] \in the clear; get someone or something [into] \in the clear.) •

Don't worry, Tom. I'm sure you're in the clear.

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I'll feel better when I get into the clear.

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{adj. phr.} 1. Free of anything that makes moving or seeing difficult; with nothing to limit action. * /The plane climbed above the clouds and was flying in the clear./ * /Jack passed the ball to Tim, who was in the clear and ran for a touchdown./ 2. {informal} Free of blame or suspicion; not thought to be guilty. * /After John told the principal that he broke the window, Martin was in the clear./ * /Steve was the last to leave the locker room, and the boys suspected him of stealing Tom's watch, but the coach found the watch and put Steve in the clear./ 3. Free of debt; not owing money to anyone. * /Bob borrowed a thousand dollars from his father to start his business, but at the end of the first year he was in the clear./ Syn.: IN THE BLACK.