title: Using _kbhit() and _getch() as input, how do I clear the user's input stream?
body: <p>I'm making a game in C++ on Windows using the Console, which involves a turn-based battle. I'm using the <code>Sleep()</code> function to delay messages in the battle, which then advances when a key is hit. My problem is that while the game is "paused" by the sleep function, it still counts the user's key presses, and then starts using them. </p>
  
  <p>For instance, if a user presses the "a" key four times while the game is sleeping, it will keep using that key press four times, long after it has been pressed.</p>
  
  <p>How do I temporarily "turn off" the ability for the user's key presses to register with the program?</p>