clock-watch·er

(klŏk′wôch′ər)

A person who pays close attention to the passage of time and is often eager for the time to pass, as at work or school.

clock′-watch′ing n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

clock-watcher

(Industrial Relations & HR Terms) derogatory an employee who checks the time in anticipation of a break or of the end of the working day

clock-watching n

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

Translations

clock-watcher

[ˈklɒkˌwɒtʃəʳ] n to be a clockwatcher → controllare con impazienza l'ora or l'orologio (detto di lavoratore)

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

Mentioned in

References in periodicals archive

The top chef of the Manila Galleria hotels is far from being a clock-watcher when he works.

British expat is an executive chef on a mission

Keep a positive attitude and do not be a clock-watcher. Take notes in meetings and in discussion with your boss.

How to get promoted

COUNCIL bosses in Swansea have won a race against time over the retirement of their offi-cial clock-watcher.

Time's a healer as city horologist retires

Time stood still in Swansea as the official clock-watcher protested at his job being axed after 30 years.

Payback time... As axed worker stops city's clocks at 12.00, how other ex-employees got revenge

It's easy to be a clock-watcher but it's what you do while you're at work that counts."

GARY'S JUST LOOKING FOR QUICK EXIT; Louis sparks row by saying [euro]2m fellow judge is 'taking the money and running'

The clock-watcher would have to ensure the clocks are changed when they go forward in March and back again in October, and also be responsible for the conservation, restoration and maintenance of timepieces in the Royal Collection, which range from turret clocks to pocket watches at all royal residences around the country, the Mirror reported.

Buckingham Palace places ad for 'Royal Horological Conservator'!

Always add a personal touch, and do not be a clock-watcher.

The right candidate for the home: helpful hints from a staffing agency

Q I have to leave work at 5pm sharp to collect my daughter and I'm worried people will label me a clock-watcher. - Sharon, Edinburgh.

DR. JOBS; CAREER CLINIC

It is hard to be a clock-watcher when your neighbor at the next desk is working feverishly on ensuring the complete satisfaction of a disgruntled customer.

Crafting your work force

LATE-COMER: Jermaine Beckford arrives at Goodison Park on Tuesday after many fans had already arrived, and (inset) clock-watcher extraordinary, Harry Catterick.

Blues can learn from clockwatching Catt

He said he was divorced but, although he would always stay and have a drink and a chat with me on our own, he was a bit of a clock-watcher and never stayed much past 10.30pm.

Am I wasting time with mum's boy? JOAN'S SOLUTION

All in all, I am afraid The Time Machine turned me into a clock-watcher.

Films: WASTE OF TIME; Clockwatching as the dull travellers lose way