work around the clock

USAGE SUMMARY

"work around the clock" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use this phrase to describe a situation where someone is working all day or all night, or both. Example: "My team is working around the clock to finish the project before the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They work around the clock.

The New York Times

"You work around the clock," he said.

The New York Times

Maintenance crews continued to work around the clock.

The New York Times - Sports

Its staff has had to work around the clock.

The New York Times

He and his employees work around the clock.

The New York Times

She can work around the clock if she likes.

The New York Times

9/12 Rescue workers work around the clock.

The Guardian

Neville will work around the clock to make this a  success.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The company's robots are designed to work around-the-clock, identifying and picking apples even in the dark of night.

TechCrunch

That said, our teams continue to work around-the-clock in hopes of discovering some way to recover this information.

TechCrunch

Instead, the new debt limit should penalize Washington enough to make it do its job—work around the clock to control spending and sell assets.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "work around the clock" to emphasize the intensity and relentlessness of effort, particularly when needing to meet tight deadlines or address urgent situations. For example, "The development team had to work around the clock to fix the critical bug before the software release."

Common error

Avoid using "work around the clock" to describe routine or regularly scheduled work, even if it involves long hours. The phrase is best reserved for situations that demand extraordinary and sustained effort over a limited period.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "work around the clock" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. According to Ludwig, it indicates continuous and relentless effort or activity, often due to urgency. It modifies a verb to emphasize the intensity of the work being done.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiomatic phrase "work around the clock" signifies continuous, unrelenting effort. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. The phrase conveys a sense of urgency and dedication, often related to critical deadlines or emergencies. When using this phrase, it's essential to reserve it for situations demanding extraordinary, sustained effort, rather than routine work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

work day and night

Emphasizes the contrast between day and night, highlighting the relentless nature of the work.

toil incessantly

Highlights the laborious and unceasing aspect of the work.

labor continuously

Focuses on the uninterrupted nature of the work, suggesting a steady and ongoing effort.

burn the midnight oil

Suggests working late into the night, especially on studies or projects.

keep at it relentlessly

Emphasizes the unwavering determination and persistence in pursuing a task.

go all out

Indicates exerting maximum effort and energy in a task, often for a limited time.

leave no stone unturned

Implies a thorough and exhaustive search or effort to achieve a goal.

go the extra mile

Describes exceeding expectations and putting in additional effort beyond what is required.

be on the go constantly

Focuses on the continuous movement and activity, suggesting a busy and demanding schedule.

plug away

Suggests persistent and steady effort, often in the face of difficulties or challenges.

FAQs

How can I use "work around the clock" in a sentence?

You can use "work around the clock" to describe a situation where someone is working continuously without rest. For instance, "The doctors worked around the clock to save the injured patients".

What are some alternative phrases for "work around the clock"?

Alternatives include "work day and night", "toil incessantly", or "labor continuously", each carrying a slightly different connotation.

Is it appropriate to use "work around the clock" in formal writing?

Yes, it's suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, consider your audience. In some formal settings, more precise language might be preferable but it's definitely ok.

What does it mean when someone says they're "working around the clock"?

It means they are working continuously, without significant breaks or rest, typically to meet a deadline or handle an emergency. It implies a very high level of dedication and effort.