watching the clock

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "watching the clock" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is anxiously waiting for a certain time to arrive, often in a context where they are eager for an event to end or for a break to begin. Example: "During the long meeting, I found myself watching the clock, counting down the minutes until I could finally leave."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I'm just watching the clock.

The New York Times - Sports

"I was watching the clock," Schiavone said.

The New York Times - Sports

"We're watching the clock," he said.

The Washington Post

"So" (an audible breath) "we are watching the clock.

The Guardian

But soon enough, everybody was watching the clock.

The New York Times - Sports

But, rest assured, I have been watching the clock.

The Guardian - Sport

"You're constantly watching the clock in the studio.

The New York Times

Fed up with the boss watching the clock?

The Guardian - Opinion

You aren't watching the clock, and hours can pass like minutes.

Harvard University

"We kind of feel like we're watching the clock wind down right now".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

(Cut to the clock. The camera watches the clock advance twelve minutes in one actual second. Then cut back to Judge Klein, Winsten, and the lawyers).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "watching the clock" to convey a sense of impatience, boredom, or anticipation regarding the passage of time, especially when someone is eager for an event to finish or a break to begin.

Common error

While "watching the clock" is a common idiom, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "counting down the minutes" or "marking time" to add nuance and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "watching the clock" typically functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as a verb complement or part of a continuous verb tense. Ludwig examples show its use in describing a state of anticipation or boredom. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "watching the clock" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express impatience or anticipation while observing the passage of time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable expression across various contexts, though primarily found in news, media, academia and Wiki. While it's acceptable for general use, it is best to avoid it in overly formal settings and it is useful to consider alternatives like "counting down the minutes" to prevent repetition. Remember to use it when you want to convey the feeling of time passing slowly as you wait for something to happen.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clock watching

This is a noun form of the original phrase, referring to the act itself.

counting down the minutes

Focuses on the act of actively tracking the remaining time.

marking time

Implies a lack of engagement while waiting for time to pass.

killing time

Describes activities done solely to make time pass more quickly.

awaiting the deadline

Specific to waiting for a particular end time or due date.

eagerly anticipating the hour

Highlights the anticipation of a specific time or event.

impatiently observing the time

Emphasizes the feeling of impatience while noting the time.

keeping track of the time

Focuses on monitoring the time's progression, usually with a specific purpose.

waiting for the end

General expression indicating the end of a waiting period.

longing for the day to end

Emphasizes the desire for the current day's activities to conclude.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone is "watching the clock"?

Saying someone is "watching the clock" means they are eagerly anticipating a specific time, often because they are bored, impatient, or looking forward to something else.

How can I use "watching the clock" in a sentence?

You can use "watching the clock" to describe someone who is eagerly waiting for time to pass. For example, "During the slow presentation, I couldn't help "watching the clock"."

What can I say instead of "watching the clock"?

You can use alternatives like "counting down the minutes", "marking time", or "killing time" depending on the context.

Is "watching the clock" formal or informal language?

"Watching the clock" is considered informal language and is suitable for everyday conversation and writing. In more formal contexts, consider using a less idiomatic phrase like "monitoring the time".