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on the clock. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
on the clock, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
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English
Pronunciation
Prepositional phrase
on the clock
- (literally) Displayed on the dial of a clock (timepiece).
- Coordinate term: o'clock
1922, D. H. Lawrence, “The Horse Dealer's Daughter,”, in England, My England:It was six o'clock on the clock. His own watch had stopped.
- (idiomatic) Working at one's job; occupied in some manner during one's hours of remunerated employment.
- Near-synonym: on the job
1983, Odie Hawkins, Scars and Memories, →ISBN, pages 97–98:I discovered after my arrival that I wouldn't be able to start working for six weeks. . . . The Beverley Hills Post Office finally worked my status out with the Chicago Post Office. I was back on the clock.
2006 May 16, Dave Caldwell, “Patrick Is First Only in Fans' Hearts”, in New York Times, retrieved 20 Apr. 2009:Danica Patrick is still on the clock. Her crew members . . . are at the end of their workday. Hers drags on.
2007 January 22, “VP drops in for quick visit to S.A.”, in San Antonio Express-News, retrieved 20 Apr. 2009:"I guess it ain't all bad," Kerr said, lighting another cigarette. "I'm on the clock, so I'm getting paid while I wait."
- (idiomatic) During one's official working hours; in or into a position of remunerated employment.
2007 August 28, Kristin Shaw, “More work means more pay”, in The Independent, US, retrieved 20 Apr. 2009:The board authorized the Building Department to schedule Saturday inspections for water line installations as a service to residents and businesses. It requires inspections to be done "on the clock" and in a town vehicle.
- (idiomatic) Of a taxicab, engaged for hire; displayed numerically as time or fare on the meter of a taxicab.
1971, Barry Pain, “Mrs. Murphy”, in Humorous stories, →ISBN, page 90:If a fare paid him no more than what was on the clock, he'd shout out: "If you can't afford cabs you should take the 'bus."
2005 April 22, “Cost Controls, Fine—But THAT'S Ridiculous”, in hereisthecity.com, UK, retrieved 20 Apr. 2009:Significant monies are wasted each week as bankers leave taxis outside, waiting on the clock, while they finish their lunches.
- (sports) In the official time remaining in a game or other sporting event.
1989 April 28, Dave Anderson, “Sports of the Times: Jackson Hits 'Biggest Shot Of My Life'”, in New York Times, retrieved 20 Apr. 2009:With only three seconds on the clock and the Knicks about to win, 102-96, in their playoff opener against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden last night, Rick Pitino enjoyed the moment.
- (sports) In the official time expired in a game or other sporting event.
- (chiefly sports drafts) Under scrutiny due to having to make a decision or produce results within a set period of time.
- (of a motor vehicle) Displayed numerically on the mileage or kilometric gauge.
1962 October, “Talking of Trains: L.M.R. car-carrying success”, in Modern Railways, page 224:The obvious advantages of this method of new motor vehicle delivery over long distances,, which the L.M.R. says dealers and ultimate customers are beginning to appreciate, are all-weather reliability, arrival in mint condition and with only a very small mileage "on the clock", and the assurance that the car has not been mishandled during its running-in period; .
2008 November 19, “A grand way to keep travelling”, in Irish Times, retrieved 20 Apr. 2009:And with 112,000 miles on the clock this isn't scary mileage for this type of car.
- Remunerated per unit of time.
Alas, the delivery boy is on the clock; he could and would work much faster on commission!
Antonyms
See also