clocks
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun 1. A plural form of 'clock': The word "clocks" most commonly refers to more than one timepiece used for measuring and indicating time. 2. A common name for a plant: In botany, "clocks" is a common name for the plant Erodium cicutarium, also known as redstem filaree or storksbill, characterized by its fern-like leaves and fruit that resembles a clock hand.
Usage Examples
- As a timepiece:
- All the clocks in the house need new batteries.
- The tower has four large clocks, one on each side.
- As a plant:
- The field was covered in small pink flowers of clocks.
- Farmers sometimes consider clocks a weed, but it can be used for forage.
Advanced Usage
- "To work against the clock": To work very fast to finish something before a deadline.
- The scientists were working against the clocks to find a solution.
- "To turn/turn back the clock": To return to a situation as it was in the past.
- The retro decor really turns back the clocks to the 1950s.
Variants and Related Words
- Clock (n, singular): A single timepiece. (e.g., )
- Clock (v): To record a time or speed. (e.g., )
- Clockwise (adj/adv): Moving in the direction of the hands of a clock.
- O'clock (adv): Used to specify the hour when telling time. (e.g., )
Synonyms
- For timepieces: Timekeepers, chronometers, timepieces.
- For the plant: Redstem filaree, storksbill, pinweed ().
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Clock in/on: To record the time of one's arrival at work.
- Employees must clock in by 9 a.m.
- Clock out/off: To record the time of one's departure from work.
- She clocked out at 5:30 p.m.
- Clock up: To reach a particular number or amount, often over time.
- The veteran pilot has clocked up thousands of flying hours.
Related Idioms
- Around the clock / 24-7: All day and all night without stopping.
- The team worked around the clock to finish the project.
- Run out the clock: To use up the remaining time deliberately, often in sports or to delay a decision.
- The leading team just passed the ball to run out the clock.
- Watch the clock: To keep looking at the time, usually because one is eager to finish.
- He spent the last hour of work watching the clock.
Noun
- European weed naturalized in southwestern United States and Mexico having reddish decumbent stems with small fernlike leaves and small deep reddish-lavender flowers followed by slender fruits that stick straight up; often grown for forage