in the clear

English

Pronunciation

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Prepositional phrase

in the clear

1. (chiefly US, idiomatic) Not guilty or not suspected of wrongdoing.
   • 2006, "Risky Business," Time, 23 Jul.,

     Offshore sports betting . . .is judged illegal in the U.S. under laws originally drawn up in the '60s; sites offering casino-style virtual gaming claimed they were in the clear.

2. (of a television, radio or data transmission) Transmitted without encryption or scrambling.

   FM radio stations are broadcast in the clear.

3. (idiomatic) No longer in danger.
   • 2013, Alexis Morgan, A Soldier's Heart: A Snowberry Creek Novella (A Penguin Special from Signet Eclipse), Penguin (→ISBN)

     “Think we're in the clear?” Leif asked, still studying the rooftops and doorways for new threats. Before Nick could answer, the whole world exploded in fire and smoke.