on the clock

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

on the clock

1. (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.

2. (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."

3. (idiomatic) During one's official working hours; in or into a position of remunerated employment.
   • 1997 August 18, Tamala Edwards, James Carney, “Disaster on the Potomac: How not to run a city”, in Time:

     Money earmarked for services and repairs often found its way to payroll, to put yet more unskilled workers on the clock.

   • 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.

4. (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.

5. (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.

6. (sports) In the official time expired in a game or other sporting event.
   • 2007 August 22, “Scotland 1-0 South Africa: Boyd saves blushes”, in ESPN, retrieved 20 Apr. 2009:

     There were 26 minutes on the clock before Scotland had their first real opportunity.

7. (chiefly sports drafts) Under scrutiny due to having to make a decision or produce results within a set period of time.
8. (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.

9. Remunerated per unit of time.

   Alas, the delivery boy is on the clock; he could and would work much faster on commission!

• off the clock