ENGLISH
REFERENCE

clear blue water

idiom
Meaning

An obvious, unambiguous divide between the policies of two parties.


Origin

disputed origin

Introduced by the Conservative Party in the 1990s.

Examples
SIMPLE

The two candidates have clear blue water between them on tax policy.

CONTEXTUAL

The new party leader wants to put clear blue water between his policies and those of his predecessor to win over voters.

COMPLEX

By rejecting the traditional platform, the senator successfully established clear blue water between her own progressive agenda and the more conservative stance of her primary opponent.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    blood in the water

    In a competitive situation, the exhibition of apparent weakness or vulnerability by one party, especially when this leads to a feeling of vulnerability or greater pressure to perform on the part of the weak party, or enhanced expectation of victory by the others.

  2. 02

    blood is thicker than water

    Family relations and loyalties are stronger than relationships with people who are not family members.

  3. 03

    blow out of the water

    To trounce; to defeat thoroughly, as at a game or in battle.

  4. 04

    blue chamber

    A forbidden room.

  5. 05

    blue devils

    Low spirits; depression.

  6. 06

    blue moon

    A long time.

  7. 07

    blue note

    The flatted 5th scale degree in the blues scale.

  8. 08

    blue ribbon

    Highly superior in quality, style, substance, prestige, etc.

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