Clear your throat

verb

To make a small cough to get someone's attention or to prepare before you speak.

Before he started the presentation, he cleared his throat and began to speak.
Visual representation of "clear your throat" - To make a small cough to get someone's attention or to prepare before you speak

Often appears as...

  • clear your throat before speaking
  • clear your throat to interrupt
verb

To forcefully expel air from the throat, usually to remove something causing discomfort or obstruction.

After eating the spicy food, he had to clear his throat several times.
Visual representation of "clear your throat" - To forcefully expel air from the throat, usually to remove something causing discomfort or obstruction

Often appears as...

  • clear your throat after eating
  • clear your throat from phlegm
verb

To make a small cough to get someone's attention or to prepare before you speak.

Before he started the presentation, he cleared his throat and began to speak.
Visual representation of "clear your throat" - To make a small cough to get someone's attention or to prepare before you speak

Often appears as...

  • clear your throat before speaking
  • clear your throat to interrupt
verb

To forcefully expel air from the throat, usually to remove something causing discomfort or obstruction.

After eating the spicy food, he had to clear his throat several times.
Visual representation of "clear your throat" - To forcefully expel air from the throat, usually to remove something causing discomfort or obstruction

Often appears as...

  • clear your throat after eating
  • clear your throat from phlegm
Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "clear your throat"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Getting Attention

Use 'clear your throat' to indicate you want to speak or need someone to notice you politely.

Illustration for Getting Attention
She cleared her throat to signal she had a question.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Speech Preparation

Clearing your throat can also mean you're preparing your voice to speak, often before an audience.

Illustration for Speech Preparation
He cleared his throat nervously before his speech.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Interrupting

It's also a discreet way to interrupt or indicate you disagree without words.

Illustration for Interrupting
During the heated debate, Mary cleared her throat pointedly.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Getting Attention

Use 'clear your throat' to indicate you want to speak or need someone to notice you politely.

Illustration for Getting Attention
She cleared her throat to signal she had a question.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Speech Preparation

Clearing your throat can also mean you're preparing your voice to speak, often before an audience.

Illustration for Speech Preparation
He cleared his throat nervously before his speech.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Interrupting

It's also a discreet way to interrupt or indicate you disagree without words.

Illustration for Interrupting
During the heated debate, Mary cleared her throat pointedly.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Getting Attention

Use 'clear your throat' to indicate you want to speak or need someone to notice you politely.

Illustration for Getting Attention
She cleared her throat to signal she had a question.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Speech Preparation

Clearing your throat can also mean you're preparing your voice to speak, often before an audience.

Illustration for Speech Preparation
He cleared his throat nervously before his speech.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Interrupting

It's also a discreet way to interrupt or indicate you disagree without words.

Illustration for Interrupting
During the heated debate, Mary cleared her throat pointedly.
Visual representation of the word "Clear your throat"

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