Definition
To defeat someone decisively, in a physical fight or other competition or negotiation.
Origins
From clean (“to thrash, defeat”) and clock (“face”) as metonym for “guy”, “someone”.
In Context
- ""When big business goes head to head with unions, the unions clean their clock," said one Republican aide in Congress."
- "Barack Obama cleaned her clock in the debates."
- "The heavily-tattooed Perez never recovered, getting nailed with flush head shots before a clean-up left hook cleaned his clock."
Also Said As
- fix someone's clock
- trounce
- wipe the floor with someone