clock-watching
Anticipating the end
Clock-watching is the habit of repeatedly checking the time, especially while waiting for something to end—a workday, a meeting, a class.
The term usually implies boredom, impatience, or lack of engagement: The meeting dragged on and everyone was clock-watching by the second hour.
A clock-watcher is someone known for this habit, often suggesting they're more focused on quitting time than on their work.
Wearisome dullness
- monotonyTiresome lack of change
- ennuiWeary, listless dissatisfaction
- disengagementWithdrawal from involvement
- listlessnessAbsence of energy, enthusiasm
dullness · restlessness · drag · weariness · apathy · indifference · stagnation · unfulfilling
Restless minor movements
- restlessnessState of unease
- frustrationDispleasure from blocked efforts
- agitationDisturbed, restless state
- edginessRestless nervous tension
irritability · antsy · itching · chafing · exasperation · twitchiness · discontent · tension
Backward enumeration to zero
- waitingRemaining in expectation
- eagernessIntense willingness to act
- expectancyLikelihood of occurrence
- excitementState of eager enthusiasm
Movement or work period
- timesheetRecord of hours worked
- attendanceRecord of who's present
- overtimeWork beyond scheduled hours
- workdayStandard labor period
breaks · nine-to-five · commute · meeting · productivity
Stretched or strained state
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
unease · overwhelm · sweating · jitters · hypervigilance · heart-pounding · crunch-time · urgency
tedium
Wearisome dullness
- monotonyTiresome lack of change
- ennuiWeary, listless dissatisfaction
- disengagementWithdrawal from involvement
listlessness · dullness · restlessness · drag · weariness · apathy · indifference · stagnation · unfulfilling · mindless
fidgeting
Restless minor movements
- restlessnessState of unease
- frustrationDispleasure from blocked efforts
- agitationDisturbed, restless state
edginess · irritability · antsy · itching · chafing · exasperation · twitchiness · discontent · tension · peevishness
countdown
Backward enumeration to zero
- waitingRemaining in expectation
- eagernessIntense willingness to act
- expectancyLikelihood of occurrence
excitement · weekend · freedom · release
shift
Movement or work period
- timesheetRecord of hours worked
- attendanceRecord of who's present
- overtimeWork beyond scheduled hours
workday · breaks · nine-to-five · commute · meeting · productivity
tension
Stretched or strained state
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
panic · unease · overwhelm · sweating · jitters · hypervigilance · heart-pounding · crunch-time · urgency
- idle timekilling time, passing time, wasting time, whiling away, doing nothing
- work habitspunctuality, attendance, productivity, professionalism, reliability
- idlenessdoing nothing, idling, loafing, lounging, lazing
- late afternoonteatime, golden hour, rush hour, commute, happy hour
clock-watchingdedication
Wholehearted loyalty to purpose
commitment · devotion · diligence · going the extra mile · workaholism
watch, clock, watching, watcher, watches, watchers, timekeeping