working around the clock

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "working around the clock" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize how hard someone is working. For example: "The engineering team has been working around the clock to get this project finished on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"You're working around the clock.

The New York Times

"He was working around the clock.

The New York Times

"We've got people working around the clock.

The New York Times

"We've got teams working around the clock.

The New York Times

"We're working around the clock," Mr Phathanacharoen said.

Independent

We'll be working around the clock until we catch up".

The New York Times

Boeing engineers, Mr. Rosenker said, are working around the clock.

The New York Times

I'm working around the clock, seven days a week".

The New York Times

He's been working around the clock on fashion design".

The Guardian - Music

Technicians in Cantor's London office began working around the clock.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

UNICEF staff are working around-the-clock to provide urgently needed assistance".

Unicef

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase when you want to suggest a sense of urgency and dedication to completing a task without rest.

Common error

Avoid using "working around the clock" for ordinary daily routines. The phrase implies a temporary surge of intense effort, not a regular schedule.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "working around the clock" functions as an idiomatic expression and is often used as part of a verb phrase to describe someone's dedication and continuous effort towards a specific goal. It is used to emphasize intense focus and commitment to a task. As Ludwig AI correctly points out, its usage underscores a situation demanding considerable dedication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Tech

4%

Reference

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "working around the clock" is a common idiomatic phrase signifying continuous and dedicated effort. Grammatically correct and widely accepted, it's primarily used to emphasize urgency and commitment. Ludwig AI affirms that the expression effectively conveys a sense of relentless dedication. While generally neutral in register, it sees frequent use in journalistic contexts and business environments. Alternative phrases, such as "working day and night" or "working non-stop", can offer slightly different nuances. Remember, using this phrase appropriately means you need to signal a temporary surge of intense effort, and not a regular ongoing schedule.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

working day and night

Implies continuous work, focusing on the contrast between day and night.

working non-stop

Highlights the lack of breaks or pauses in the work being done.

working continuously

Emphasizes the uninterrupted nature of the work.

working without a break

Focuses on the absence of rest periods during the work.

working flat out

Suggests working at maximum effort and speed.

burning the midnight oil

An idiom referring to working late into the night.

going the extra mile

Indicates exceeding expectations and putting in extra effort.

exerting oneself tirelessly

Highlights persistent and unwavering dedication to effort.

leaving no stone unturned

Implies a thorough and exhaustive effort in pursuing a goal.

giving it one's all

Focuses on the complete dedication and effort invested.

FAQs

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

You can use "working around the clock" to describe continuous effort, for example: "The team is "working around the clock" to meet the deadline."

What's a more formal alternative to "working around the clock"?

While "working around the clock" is generally acceptable, a more formal alternative might be "dedicating all available time" or "exerting maximum effort."

What does it mean to be "working around the clock"?

To be "working around the clock" means working continuously, 24 hours a day, often implying a high level of dedication and urgency.

Is "working around the clock" the same as "working overtime"?

No, "working overtime" refers to working beyond regular hours, while "working around the clock" implies continuous work without significant breaks, regardless of standard work hours.