like clockwork
With mechanical regularity
Like clockwork describes something that happens with perfect regularity and reliability, just as the gears of a well-made clock move with precise, predictable timing.
The phrase typically characterizes events or behaviors that occur on schedule without fail: Every morning at six, like clockwork, he goes for a run.
It can also describe a process that functions smoothly and efficiently: The operation went like clockwork.
Toothed rotating machine parts
- mechanismMeans by which something operates
- cogsProjections on a wheel
- wheelsCircular rotation devices
- springsCoils, sources, or leaps
mainspring · escapement · pendulum · movement · Swiss · watchmaker · timepiece · automaton
Arriving when scheduled
- predictableAble to be foreseen
- consistentNot varying or contradicting
- reliableConsistently performing as expected
- dependableWorthy of trust
steady · routine · scheduled · systematic · unfailing · rhythmic · regular · habitual
Perfectly correct, no deviation
- accurateConforming to fact
- preciseExactly correct, no error
- meticulousShowing extreme attention to detail
- calibratedAdjusted for accuracy
synchronized · timed · coordinated · fine-tuned · measured · calculated · mechanical · intricate
gears
Toothed rotating machine parts
springs · mainspring · escapement · pendulum · movement · Swiss · watchmaker · timepiece · automaton · winding
punctual
Arriving when scheduled
- predictableAble to be foreseen
- consistentNot varying or contradicting
- reliableConsistently performing as expected
dependable · steady · routine · scheduled · systematic · unfailing · rhythmic · regular · habitual · methodical
exact
Perfectly correct, no deviation
- accurateConforming to fact
- preciseExactly correct, no error
- meticulousShowing extreme attention to detail
calibrated · synchronized · timed · coordinated · fine-tuned · measured · calculated · mechanical · intricate · flawless
- reliabilityreliable, dependable, trustworthy, consistent, faithful
- Similesas blind as a bat, as busy as a bee, as cold as ice, as cool as a cucumber, as dead as a doornail
- gradual phrasesbit by bit, little by little, step by step, one by one, piece by piece
- cycleslife cycle, cycle, circle of life, cycles, period
- fatedestiny, fate, kismet, Moira, fated
- harmony phrasesin sync, in tune, on the same page, see eye to eye, hand in hand
like clockworkerratically
In an inconsistent manner
unpredictably · randomly · sporadically · irregularly · haphazardly
like clockworkchaotically
In complete disorder
shambles · mess · in disarray · all over the map · dysfunctionally
like clockworkunreliably
Not to be counted on
undependably · flakily · unsteadily · when pigs fly · once in a blue moon
work, like, clock, likely, liking, likeness, clockwork, clockworks