get in(to) the clear

1. To come to have a clear path ahead of one. The soccer player wove the ball through the defenders and got into the clear to make a shot on goal. I knew if I could edge my way around the other runners and get in the clear, I'd be able to pull ahead and win the race. I know traffic is bad right here, but once we get past this accident, we'll get into the clear.

2. To come to avoid blame or punishment for some crime or misdeed. We should get in the clear if we can hide the paper trail of the money we took. How are we going to get into the clear if there's security camera footage of us taking the money? Don't worry, with a good lawyer, we'll get into the clear.

3. To come to avoid danger or trouble. We were worried that the cancer would start spreading again, but she's gotten into the clear after her latest round of chemotherapy. How did you get in the clear after doing something that stupid? Would you hide? We'll only get into the clear if the cops don't see us!