on the clock
Paid right now
On the clock means working during paid hours, with time being tracked: I can't chat—I'm on the clock.
The phrase evokes the punch clock that records employee time.
It extends to any timed situation: a player on the clock in a draft must make a selection before time expires.
Athletes may play on the clock when their contract is expiring.
- crunch timeHigh-pressure final stretch
- time crunchInsufficient period remaining
- race against timeUrgent struggle before deadline
- overtimeWork beyond scheduled hours
- ticking awayTime passing gradually
urgency · stopwatch · supervision · countdown · shift · payroll · time limit · tracking · workload · on duty · billable hours · oversight · employment · punctuality · punch in · hourly · nine to five · due date
- Work JargonASAP, FYI, EOD, synergy, deliverable
on the clockoff the clock
Not on paid time
off duty · clocked out · not working · on leave · unemployed
on the clockat your leisure
taking your time · no rush · unhurried · open-ended · untimed
on the clockat leisure
Unoccupied and unhurried
taking one's time · unhurried · relaxed · casual · leisurely
the, clock, clocks, clocked, clocking, clockwise, clockwork, o'clock