The term 'clears the deck' is a phrase that means to prepare for something, usually by removing any obstacles or distractions. In this crossword puzzle, the solutions to the clues are MOPS (4 letters), SWABS (5 letters), and MUMBAIINDIA (11 letters). MOPS is a type of cleaning tool used to clean floors, while SWABS are small pieces of cloth used to clean surfaces. MumbaiIndia is the capital city of India, located on the west coast of the country. Together, these three solutions represent the idea of clearing the deck in preparation for something.