If you start something with a clean slate, then nothing bad from your past is taken into account.
If someone makes a clean sweep, they win absolutely everything in a competition or contest.
If you clean your clock, you beat someone decisively in a contest or fight.
If something is as clear as a bell, it is very clear or easy to understand.
If something is as clear as mud, then it is very confusing and unclear.
When you clear the decks, you get ready for an important action and put away items that might get in your way.
If something like a sports match or an election is a cliffhanger, then the result is so close that it cannot be predicted and will only be known at the very end.
When people climb on the bandwagon they do something because it is popular and everyone else is doing it.
Advance within an organisation - especially in politics.
If people cling to hope, they continue to hope though the chances of success are very small.
If something is close at hand, it is nearby or conveniently located.
(USA) If you are close but no cigar, you are close to success, but have not got there.
If the result of something is a close call, it is almost impossible to distinguish between the parties involved and to say who has won or whatever. It can also mean that you very nearly have a serious accident or get into trouble.
A person who is reluctant to talk about a specific subject is close lipped.
If you have a close shave, you very nearly have a serious accident or get into trouble.
Close the stable door after the horse has bolted
If people try to fix something after the problem has occurred, they are trying to close the stable door after the horse has bolted. 'Close the barn door after the horse has bolted' is alternative, often used in American English.
If something is close to your heart, you care a lot about it. ('Dear to your heart' is an alternative.)
If a subject is a closed book to you, it is something that you don't understand or know anything about.
If you don't listen to people, they may suggest you have cloth ears.
If someone has ideas or plans that are completely unrealistic, they are living on cloud cuckoo land.
If you are on cloud nine, you are extremely happy. ('cloud seven' is a less common alternative)
If a cloud of suspicion hangs over an individual, it means that they are not believed or are distrusted.
If you can see a problem ahead, you can call it a cloud on the horizon.
If someone is in serious trouble and tries anything to help them, even though their chances of success are probably nil, they are clutching at straws.
If an activity is referred to as a clutch play, it means that the activity was the key to the success or failure of the venture. For instance, a clutch play in a baseball game may be striking out a batter with the bases loaded.
(UK) Taking, bringing, or carrying coals to Newcastle is doing something that is completely unnecessary.
When the coast is clear, the people supposed to be watching you are not there and you are able to move or leave.
To make a rude gesture by putting one thumb to the nose with the fingers outstretched.
A cock and bull story is a lie someone tells that is completely unbelievable.
This is used to describe a male in an all-female environment.
A man who is excessively confident and thinks he's better than other people is the cock of the walk.
This is used as a prediction there is no chance some event or condition will ever happen.'There will be a cold day in hell before he manages it.'
If you get cold feet about something, you lose the courage to do it.
A cold fish is a person who doesn't show how they feel.
If you see things in the cold light of day, you see them as they really are, not as you might want them to be.
If you give or show someone the cold shoulder, you are deliberately unfriendly and unco-operative towards them.
If something brings you out in a cold sweat, it frightens you a lot.
If someone suddenly stops taking drugs, instead of slowly cutting down, they do cold turkey.
If it is colder than a witch's tit, it is extremely cold outside.
Accidental or unintended damage or casualties are collateral damage.
If something is collecting dust, it isn't being used any more.
Rules that restrict access on the basis of race or ethnicity are a color bar.
(UK) Someone whose actions or lifestyle will inevitably result in trouble is going to come a cropper.
If someone comes clean about something, they admit to deceit or wrongdoing.
If someone says they'll do something come hell or high water, they mean that nothing will stop them, no matter what happens.
When something comes of age it develops completely and reaches maturity. When someone comes of age, they reach adulthood or fulfill their potential.
If you come on hard, you are aggressive in your dealing with someone.
If something comes on the heels of something, it follows very soon after it.
If something will come out in the wash, it won't have any permanent negative effect.
When things come out of the woodwork, they appear unexpectedly. ('Crawl out of the woodwork' is also used.)
If someone comes out of their shell, they stop being shy and withdrawn and become more friendly and sociable.
If I say I'll be at a place come rain or shine, I mean that I can be relied on to turn up; nothing, not even the vagaries of British weather, will deter me or stop me from being there.
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