# clear blue water

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/clear-blue-water
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- The two candidates have clear blue water between them on tax policy.
- There is now clear blue water between the two groups regarding healthcare spending.
- The new party leader wants to put clear blue water between his policies and those of his predecessor to win over voters.
- The government is trying to create clear blue water between its environmental plans and the weaker regulations proposed by the opposition.
- To attract different voters, the mayor needs to show clear blue water between his current strategy and the failed projects of the past.
- 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.

## Origin

The term emerged in the 1990s, introduced by the Conservative Party to denote a distinct separation between their own policies and those of the opposition. The phrase suggests a maritime distance, provided by the party to ensure that their political positioning was not confused with that of their rivals.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.