Idioms

clock-watcher

Also found in: Dictionary.

clock-watcher

One who often checks the time during an activity or event, as due to boredom or a desire to leave. He's a total clock-watcher, so I doubt that he likes his job. I'm usually a clock-watcher, but this new project actually kept me busy all day! We're all clock-watchers once it hits 4:00 on a Friday afternoon.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

clock-watcher

someone -- a worker or a student -- who is always looking at the clock, anticipating when something will be over. There are four clock-watchers in our office. People who don't like their jobs can turn into clockwatchers.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

clock watcher

n. someone—a worker or a student—who is always looking at the clock. People who don’t like their jobs can turn into clock watchers.
See also: clock, watcher
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
See also:
References in periodicals archive
Working long hours might impress the boss, but clock-watchers are likely to have the last laugh, a study shows, as they are at less risk of a potentially fatal stroke .
Stroke risk of long hours
Not likely, as the clock-watchers would consider such a study a waste of time.
Philippine time
"No-one wants to see us become a nation of clock-watchers," Mr Barber added "But a more sensible and grown up attitude to working time could cut out needless unpaid hours and help more people into work."
UK workers' 2 billion hours unpaid overtime; It's holding back job creation, claims TUC
An icon for the disaffected, the put-upon, the clock-watchers and the daydreamers, here was a man with his finger constantly and gleefully on the self-destruct button.
THE FALL AND RISE OF REGINALD PERRIN, BBC,; TV TIMES PAST
Clock-watchers won't be able to peel their gaze away from the colorful red, yellow, orange and green Pine Ridge logo that adorns the clock's stark, white face and contrasts impeccably with its black plastic housing.
Logo Gear: walk the walk
It has many subsections with interesting tides such as "Chopping Wood with a Spoon"; "Shiny Object Polishers"; "Sheep Counters"; "Speed Demons"; "Gluttons"; "Drifters"; "Skimmers"; "Clock-watchers"; "Autopilots"; "Pattern Practicers; "Red Light Runners" and so forth.
Annotated bibliography on musician wellness
Mr Foster assured concerned clock-watchers the time would be correct next year.
A TICKING OFF!
"We're not saying that we should turn into a nation of clock-watchers. Most people do not mind putting in some extra time when there's a crisis or an unexpected rush.
Work to hours for one day
Regional secretary Roger McKenzie said: "We're not saying that we should turn into a nation of clock-watchers. Most people do not mind putting in some extra time when there is a crisis or an unexpected rush.
Day's reminder on unpaid hours
But residents of Herefordshire appear to be clock-watchers who leave the office as soon as they can.
Why we work hardest in UK
Such children become clock-watchers, lying in bed and growing increasingly frustrated as time passes and they are unable to sleep.
Psychiatric disorders key in childhood insomnia: ask about depression, anxiety, and somatization. Family history of mental illness could also play role
Another common complaint about cost-plus contracts is that they turn homeowners into clock-watchers. I say a little homeowner obsession over labor costs is a good thing if it gets remodelers to obsess a little bit, too--not just about every 15-minute coffee break that runs to a half-hour but over all the supervision time and set-up and clean-up time that isn't in the estimate.
"The real value of cost-plus: fixed-price contracts give remodelers an excuse to ignore job costing. That's a mistake that could really cost you
Again, the Elmaamul colt impressed clock-watchers when winning his private trial in Dubai earlier this month.
RACING: LATEEN LAD ON A TIGER SHOOT
Copyright © 2003-2025 Farlex, Inc Disclaimer
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.