around the clock
uh-ROWND the CLOCK
/əˈraʊnd ðə klɒk/
Continuously for 24 hours a day; without stopping.
Emphasizes tireless effort or constant availability.
The story behind the word. The phrase refers to the hands of a clock completing a full 24-hour rotation. It gained popularity during the industrial era when factories began operating multiple shifts.
Word relationships
- non-stop: 'Non-stop' can refer to any duration; 'around the clock' specifically implies a 24-hour cycle.
- intermittently: 'Intermittently' means starting and stopping at intervals.
Commonly confused with
- day and night: 'Day and night' is a synonym, but 'around the clock' sounds more professional or industrial.
Collocations
- working around the clock
- available around the clock
- monitored around the clock
Example sentences
- "The hospital staff worked around the clock to treat the victims of the earthquake." Emergency services
- "Our technical support team is available around the clock to help you with any issues." Customer support
Memory hook
Imagine a clock hand spinning so fast it never stops to rest. The circle that never ends.
When not to use
Do not use for things that happen every day but stop at night (e.g., a 9-to-5 job).
Fun facts
- The 1954 song 'Rock Around the Clock' by Bill Haley & His Comets helped cement this phrase in pop culture.
Related words
Explore more words
continuously, continually, indefatigable, unflagging, continuous, incessant
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.