clock ran down

USAGE SUMMARY

"clock ran down" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation where time has expired or a deadline has passed. Example: "As the final seconds ticked away, the clock ran down, leaving the team with no chance to score." Alternative expressions include "time expired" and "time ran out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

The shot clock ran down.

The New York Times - Sports

No whistle was blown when the shot clock ran down.

The New York Times - Sports

"Sevilla score a goal," the fans sang as the clock ran down.

The Guardian - Sport

Again and again, Kasparov found himself in a defensive posture as the clock ran down.

The New Yorker

As the clock ran down, expectations were rife that there had been a breakdown.

The New York Times

As the clock ran down on my five minutes of recall time, I was left with three cards.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

It let the 35-second shot clock run down once.

The New York Times - Sports

Jordan had let the clock run down from about fifteen seconds to about eight.

The New Yorker

Carmelo Anthony did not let the final seconds on the clock run down.

The New York Times - Sports

Instead of letting the clock run down, Sanchez called a timeout right before his touchdown.

The New York Times - Sports

"Down the stretch, they made shots with the clock running down".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clock ran down" to create a sense of urgency or finality, especially in time-sensitive situations like sports, negotiations, or project deadlines. It effectively conveys that the allotted time has been fully used.

Common error

Avoid using "clock ran down" in contexts where time isn't a critical factor. For instance, describing the gradual decline of a historical era would be better suited with phrases like "era faded" or "time passed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clock ran down" functions primarily as a descriptive element to indicate the cessation of a time period. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common expression. It signifies the end of an allotted time, often in situations where time is a critical factor, such as sports, negotiations, or deadlines.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clock ran down" is a versatile and frequently used expression that effectively conveys the completion of a time period. As Ludwig AI indicates, its correct and usable in written English. Its primary function is descriptive, often used to create a sense of urgency or finality, particularly in contexts like sports, news reporting, and deadline-driven situations. While its register is generally neutral, it's advisable to avoid overuse in highly formal or scientific writing, opting for more precise language instead. The phrase is commonly found in news and media sources, making it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary for discussing time-sensitive events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

time expired

Focuses on the formal ending of a designated time.

time ran out

Emphasizes the depletion of available time.

time's up

A more informal way of saying time has expired.

deadline passed

Specifically refers to the passing of a deadline.

the end of the period

More specific to timed events, like sports.

the timer went off

Highlights the activation of an auditory or visual signal to point the end of the timing.

time was over

States that the period of time has concluded.

limit reached

Highlights the end of the designated period to reach the limit.

game over

It focuses on the end of a gaming or sporting match.

curtain fell

Suggests the end of an event in a theater context.

FAQs

How can I use "clock ran down" in a sentence?

You can use "clock ran down" to describe the end of a timed event, such as "As the "clock ran down", the team made a last-ditch effort to score."

What is an alternative to saying "clock ran down"?

Alternatives include "time expired", "time ran out", or "time's up", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "clock ran down" in formal writing?

Yes, "clock ran down" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in news reports or sports analyses. However, in more academic or scientific contexts, more precise terminology might be preferred.

What does "clock ran down" imply about the situation?

It implies that a specific time period has ended, often creating a sense of finality or urgency, especially if something important was happening as the time expired.