Work Around the Clock – Meaning and Examples
Emergency situations, tight deadlines, and critical projects sometimes require extraordinary effort. In English, we describe this continuous, non-stop work as working around the clock. This dramatic idiom emphasizes intense dedication and extended work hours.
What Does “Work Around the Clock” Mean?
“Work around the clock” means to work continuously, without stopping, through both day and night. Think of it like hospital staff during a crisis—they work in shifts so someone is always working, 24 hours a day. It describes extreme work schedules where effort continues non-stop.
When to Use It
Use this idiom when describing emergency response situations. Use it when talking about critical projects with tight deadlines. Use it for situations requiring extraordinary effort and dedication. It is a dramatic phrase that emphasizes the intensity and duration of work.
Example Sentences
- Emergency crews worked around the clock after the earthquake.
- The software team is working around the clock to fix the security breach.
- Doctors worked around the clock to save the accident victims.
- We’ll need to work around the clock to meet the product launch deadline.
Mini Dialogue
News Reporter: “How are rescue efforts progressing after the hurricane?”
Emergency Coordinator: “Our teams are working around the clock to reach all affected areas. We have people working in shifts 24 hours a day.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Remember, this idiom describes continuous, non-stop work. Don’t use it for regular work hours or typical overtime.
❌ Don’t say: “I worked around the clock by staying until 6 PM yesterday.” (Use “worked late” instead).
✅ Do say: “During the crisis, hospital staff worked around the clock in three eight-hour shifts.”
Practice Tip
Watch news reports about emergency situations or major projects. When you hear about continuous efforts, create a sentence using “work around the clock,” such as “[Group/Team] is working around the clock to [achieve specific goal].” This helps you practice the idiom in realistic contexts.
Final Note
You now know how to use “work around the clock” to describe continuous, non-stop work in critical situations. This powerful phrase will help you talk about extraordinary effort and dedication in emergency response, project completion, and other high-pressure situations. Use it to emphasize the intensity and duration of exceptional work efforts!