put the clock forward
Time & pace · Filed under P
In a sentence
- Don't forget to put the clock forward tonight for Daylight Saving Time.
- Every spring, we have to put the clock forward one hour.
- They reminded us to put the clock forward before going to bed.
Where it comes from and how it is used
The idiom "put the clock back" is often used in contrast to "put the clock forward." While "put the clock forward" refers to moving the time ahead, "put the clock back" means to move the time backward, typically by one hour. This adjustment is usually done when daylight saving time ends, and clocks are set back to standard time. The act of putting the clock back is similar to putting the clock forward but in reverse, effectively gaining an extra hour of sleep.
The idiom "set one's watch back" is closely related to "putting the clock back." It refers to the same act of adjusting the time on a watch or clock to move it back by one hour. While "putting the clock back" is a more general phrase, "set one's watch back" specifically emphasizes the adjustment of a personal timepiece.
The phrase "bring forward" is often used in relation to scheduling and time management. It means to move a planned event or meeting to an earlier time or date. In contrast to "putting the clock forward," which involves adjusting timepieces, "bring forward" involves rescheduling activities or events to occur earlier in the day or week. This phrase is commonly used in a professional or organizational context.
On the other hand, the idioms "run down the clock" and "run out the clock" have different meanings compared to "put the clock forward." These idioms are often used in sports or competitive situations to describe a strategy of intentionally wasting time or delaying the game's end. "Running down the clock" refers to the deliberate act of using up remaining time to maintain a lead or avoid giving the opponent a chance to score. "Running out the clock" is similar but specifically refers to using up all the remaining time until the game or competition ends. Both idioms emphasize the strategic manipulation of time to achieve a desired outcome in a competitive setting.
The idiom "put the clock forward" is commonly used to describe adjusting the time on a clock or watch to move it ahead by one hour, usually in the context of daylight saving time. The act of putting the clock forward has taken on a symbolic meaning beyond adjusting timepieces, representing progress, change, and embracing new opportunities. Furthermore, related idioms like "put the clock back," "set one's watch back," "bring forward," "run down the clock," and "run out the clock" provide additional nuances and contexts related to time adjustment, scheduling, and strategic time management.
Neighbouring idioms
- put the clock backTime & pace
- set one's watch backTime & pace
- bring forward
- run down the clockSport, games & leisure
- run out the clockSport, games & leisure
- beat the clockTime & pace
- run the clock downSport, games & leisure
- play for time
Know an earlier use or a better origin story?Tell us.