What one might do at the end of card games to prepare for action? (5,3,5)
I believe the answer is:
clear the decks
'prepare for action?' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'what one might do at the end of card games' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'one' could be 'the' (both can introduce a definite example of something) and 'the' is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).
'to' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for clear the decks that I've seen before include "Prepare for something by dealing first with matters outstanding" , "Get ready for action" , "prepare for new action" , "Get shipshape - prepare for action" , "Prepare for action - these crackled (anag)" .)