Idiom Breakdown

on the clock

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Definition

Working at one's job; occupied in some manner during one's hours of remunerated employment.

During one's official working hours; in or into a position of remunerated employment.

Of a taxicab, engaged for hire; displayed numerically as time or fare on the meter of a taxicab.

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"Near-synonym: on the job"
"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."
"Danica Patrick is still on the clock. Her crew members . . . are at the end of their workday. Hers drags on."
""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.""
"Money earmarked for services and repairs often found its way to payroll, to put yet more unskilled workers on the clock."
"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."
"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.""
"Significant monies are wasted each week as bankers leave taxis outside, waiting on the clock, while they finish their lunches."

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