Definition

1. Verb:
   • To expel mucus or a small obstruction from the throat by making a short, forceful cough, often as a preparatory action before speaking.

Usage

• This verb phrase describes a specific, intentional physical action. It is typically used to indicate someone is preparing to speak, gain attention, or relieve minor throat discomfort.
• It is often followed by an action related to speaking.
• Grammatical Form: It functions as a phrasal verb. The object, when specified, is usually a possessive pronoun (e.g., , ).

Examples

• Verb:
  • The speaker cleared his throat and began his presentation.
  • She had to clear her throat several times because of the dust.
  • Before answering the difficult question, he cleared his throat nervously.

Advanced Usage

• Used figuratively: Can imply a preparatory action or a pause before saying something important, awkward, or formal.
  • The CEO cleared his throat, signaling a shift to the serious financial news.

Variants and Related Words

• Ahem (interjection): The sound representation of the act of clearing one's throat, often used in writing to indicate the action.
  • "Ahem," he said, trying to get the room's attention.
• Hawk (verb): To clear the throat noisily and spit. This is a more forceful and less polite synonym.
  • He hawked and spat into the gutter.

Synonyms

• Cough slightly: To make a small, deliberate cough.
• Hem (verb, archaic/formal): To clear the throat, often as an utterance. (e.g., )

Related Phrasal Verbs

(This is the target phrasal verb itself; no further breakdown is needed.)

Related Idioms

• Hem and haw: To hesitate or be evasive in speech, often involving the literal action of clearing one's throat ().
  • Stop hemming and hawing and give me a direct answer.

Verb

1. clear mucus or food from one's throat
   • he cleared his throat before he started to speak