Round the clock
Meaning
To do something continuously for 24 hours a day, without stopping.
Origin
Imagine the face of a clock, its hands ceaselessly ticking through every hour of the day and night. This simple, visual metaphor is the heart of 'round the clock'. As industrialization took hold and the demands of modern life—from factory production lines to wartime efforts and emergency services—required operations that never ceased, the need for a vivid expression to describe continuous, 24-hour activity became clear. The phrase perfectly encapsulates this relentless motion, bringing to mind the steady, unwavering sweep of time itself, never pausing, always moving forward.
Examples
- The hospital staff worked round the clock to care for the victims of the accident.
- For the past few days, she's been studying round the clock for her final exams.