clock

In “around the clock,” throughout the whole day and night, without stopping.

• Nurses cared for him around the clock.
• The factory operates around the clock.
• Teams worked around the clock to repair the bridge.

Common phrases: around the clock, work around the clock

The device in a vehicle that shows the total distance it has travelled.

• This car has fifty thousand miles on the clock.
• Check the clock before buying a used van.
• The clock showed a much higher mileage than advertised.

How to use it: on the clock (The van has ninety thousand miles on the clock.)

Similar words: odometer, mileometer

Common phrases: miles on clock, clock reading

To record when you arrive at work or leave it, usually using a machine or computer.

• Please clock in before work.
• She clocked out at six yesterday.
• Have you forgotten to clock in again?

How to use it: clock in (All staff must clock in before starting work.); clock out (Remember to clock out at the end of your shift.)

Similar words: punch in, punch out

Common phrases: clock in, clock out, clock in late

To measure how fast something moves or how long it takes.

• We clocked the runner’s time.
• Police clocked her car at eighty miles an hour.
• The coach clocked him at twelve seconds over one hundred metres.

How to use it: clock someone/something at a speed/time (Police clocked the motorbike at ninety miles an hour.)

Similar words: time

Common phrases: clock a runner, clock someone at, clock a car

To reach a particular speed or finish something in a particular amount of time.

• She clocked a personal best.
• The winner clocked ten seconds in the final.
• His latest marathon clocked in at three hours.

How to use it: clock in at a time (The journey clocked in at just under six hours.)

Similar words: record, register

Common phrases: clock a time, clock a speed, clock in at

To reach a total amount of something over a period of time.

• We clocked up five hundred miles.
• He has clocked up years of teaching experience.
• How many flight hours have you clocked up?

How to use it: clock up something (She has clocked up twenty years with the company.)

Similar words: accumulate, rack up, amass

Common phrases: clock up miles, clock up hours, clock up something

To hit someone hard, usually on the head or face.

• He clocked me on the head.
• She clocked him when he grabbed her arm.
• One punch clocked the boxer right in the jaw.

How to use it: clock someone on/in a body part (He clocked the attacker on the jaw.)

Similar words: punch, hit, smack

Common phrases: clock someone, clock someone hard

To notice someone or something, or realize what they are like.

• I clocked her by the door.
• He quickly clocked the mistake in the address.
• She had already clocked him as someone who liked an argument.

How to use it: clock someone/something as something (I clocked him as a regular customer straight away.)

Similar words: notice, spot, recognize

Common phrases: clock someone, clock something, clock someone as