Antique and Vintage Mechanical Clocks

Tis the season of merriment so rather than talk about serious stuff we’ll have fun with expressions. Here are some common sayings and idioms with the word clock in them. Idioms have a figurative meaning that is commonly understood within a culture or language.

• Around the clock: Describes something that is in effect, continuing, or lasting 24 hours a day: “We worked around the clock to meet the deadline.” Also, Around-the-clock service: Continuous service is provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week: “The hotel offers around-the-clock service for its guests.”
• Clean someone’s clock: To defeat someone decisively: “In the final match, our team cleaned their clock.”
• Beat the clock: To finish something before a deadline: “We had to beat the clock to complete the project on time.” Also, Race against the clock
• Against the clock: Working on a task that has a tight deadline: “The team is racing against the clock to finish the construction before the event.”
• Watch the clock: To be mindful of the time: “During the meeting, I had to watch the clock to ensure we stayed on schedule.” Also, He’s (she’s) a clock watcher
• Turn back the clock: To return to a previous time or state: “Sometimes, I wish I could turn back the clock and relive those carefree days.” Also, Wind back the clock
• Keep an eye on the clock: To regularly check the time: “I need to keep an eye on the clock so we don’t miss our train.”
• Winding the clock: Engaging in a time-consuming or repetitive task: “His job felt like winding the clock every day, doing the same thing over and over.”
• Kill time (on the clock): To pass time while waiting for something: “I often read to kill time during my lunch break on the clock.”
• Work like a clock: To perform with precision and reliability: “Once the new system was in place, everything worked like a clock.”
• The clock is ticking: time is running out so act fast. also, The clock is running: Which indicates that time is passing, often with a sense of urgency: “We need to make a decision; the clock is running on this project.”
• Run out (or down) the clock: deliberately use as much time as possible to preserve one’s advantage: “Facing a tie, he decided to run out the clock in the final moments“
• On the clock: you’re working or being paid for your time and labour: “Oh, don’t bother him, he’s on the clock”. Also, Clock in/clock out:
• Your biological clock is ticking: time is running out to have a child so act now: “Lisa felt the pressure of her biological clock ticking as she approached her 30s, prompting her to seriously consider starting a family.”
• Punch the clock: be employed in a conventional job with set hours: “After a long day at work, I’m always ready to punch the clock and head home for some much-needed relaxation.”
• Stop the clock!: to remain young indefinitely or “As the final seconds ticked away in the championship game, the quarterback made a game-winning throw that seemed to stop the clock for a moment, sealing their victory.”
• As regular as clockwork (or, running like clockwork); a machine that runs perfectly and needs no adjustment. “Every morning, without fail, Jim’s neighbour would start his day as regular as clockwork, going for a jog at exactly 6 a.m.”
• Face that could stop a clock; A face that is strikingly or shockingly unattractive; or “Jane walked into the room with a look on her face that could stop a clock, causing everyone to pause and wonder what had happened.”
• Five o’clock shadow; a slight growth of beard on a man’s face; “After a busy day at the office, Tom returned home with a noticeable five o’clock shadow, a sign of the long hours he had put into his work.”
• Running like clockwork: Operating smoothly and efficiently, without any problems: “The event was running like clockwork, thanks to the meticulous planning.”
• Two o’clock courage: The bravery or confidence that comes late at night, especially after consuming alcohol: “He had a bit of two o’clock courage and finally asked her out.”
• When the clock strikes (a certain time): Referring to a specific time on the clock. For example, “We’ll meet at the cafe when the clock strikes noon.”

May the magic of the season wrap you in warmth, sprinkle a touch of wonder on your days, and may your clocks run smoothly in the year to come.

Here’s to a festive season that sparkles with happiness and lights up your world. Happy holidays