clockworkclock‧work /ˈklɒk-wɜːk $ ˈklɑːk-wɜːrk/ noun [uncountable] 
mechanical toys powered by clockwork The tape was driven by a clockwork motor.2go/run like clockwork to happen in exactly the way you had planned: The concert went like clockwork.3like clockwork (also (as) regular as clockwork) happening at the same time and in the same way every time: Matt came round each Friday, regular as clockwork.4with clockwork precision/accuracy in an extremely exact way
EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- Every time they do it, it comes off like clockwork.
- He clicked the lever, and the clockwork motor whirred.
- Like clockwork the three nurses and I followed along with the male radio voice and did a ten-minute exercise routine.
- Many beginners start to practise their forms in a kind of clockwork, robotic manner.
- You don't have to play these cat and mouse games with your clockwork soldiers.
Longman Language Activatorwhen something happens without any problems at all
if something you have arranged such as an event or journey goes like clockwork , it happens in exactly the way that was planned, with no problems at all: · After all that fuss, everything went like clockwork. You should have seen it.· 'Everything go all right?' 'Like clockwork.'· All through that summer, work on the farm went like clockwork.
if a planned event, journey, piece of work etc goes smoothly , there are no problems to spoil it: · If all goes smoothly, elections are expected in May.· In rehearsal, everything went smoothly, even the difficult fight scenes.· My presentation went remarkably smoothly, until one student asked an awkward question right at the end.
if a planned action or event happens without a hitch , it happens exactly as planned with no problems at all, even though some may have been expected: · The first phase of the operation was completed without a hitch.· TCI say they hope that approval will be granted for the takeover without a hitch.· Except for the priest forgetting the groom's middle name, the ceremony came off without a hitch.
if something that has been carefully planned goes according to plan , it happens in exactly the way you planned it would: · Development of our new computer system is going according to plan and it should be in operation by October.
WORD SETSatomic, adjectiveatomic energy, nounbeam, nounbeam, verbbiomass, nounbionic, adjectiveboiler, nounburn, verbclockwork, nouncooling tower, nouncore, nouncritical mass, noundrive, verbdynamic, adjectiveenergy, nounengine, nounfallout, nounfirewood, nounfluorescent, adjectivegenerate, verbgeneration, nounheat, nounheater, nounheating, nouninfra-red, adjectiveirradiate, verbjuice, nounkerosene, nounmeltdown, nounmeter, verbmotor, nounmotor, adjectivemotorized, adjectivenon-renewable, adjectivenuclear, adjectivenuclear fission, nounnuclear-free, adjectivenuclear fusion, nounoutage, nounpeat, nounpetrochemical, nounpetrol, nounpneumatic, adjectivepower, nounpower, verbpower plant, nounquantum, nounradiate, verbradiation, nounradioactive waste, nounradio wave, nounray, nounreactor, nounregister, nounthermostat, nountreadmill, nounturbine, nounwave, nounwavelength, nounwindmill, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES He phones us every Sunday at six, regular as clockwork (=always at the same time).COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
He phones us every Sunday at six, regular as clockwork (=always at the same time).· For any social species whose behaviour is less regular than clockwork, even this ground-clearing goal is a daunting task.
VERB· Whereas Prost had been delayed as the Ferrari mechanics fiddled with the right-rear wheel, Senna's stop went like clockwork.· It does not go off like clockwork.· Then we had been surprised when our ascent of the nearby Jankopiti had gone like clockwork.
· A universe that ran like clockwork also evinced design.· Sometimes it ran like clockwork, sometimes-as I wrote at the time-it ran like the movie Clockwise.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► with clockwork precision/accuracy
1 British English clockwork toys, trains, soldiers etc have machinery inside them that makes them move when you turn a key: - A universe that ran like clockwork also evinced design.
- And if Lais and Leonore created the promised diversion the plan would go like clockwork.
- Sometimes it ran like clockwork, sometimes-as I wrote at the time-it ran like the movie Clockwise.
- Then we had been surprised when our ascent of the nearby Jankopiti had gone like clockwork.
- Whereas Prost had been delayed as the Ferrari mechanics fiddled with the right-rear wheel, Senna's stop went like clockwork.
- At 6:30 every evening, like clockwork, Ari went out to milk the cows.
- The charity event was well organized and ran like clockwork.
mechanical toys powered by clockwork The tape was driven by a clockwork motor.2go/run like clockwork to happen in exactly the way you had planned: The concert went like clockwork.3like clockwork (also (as) regular as clockwork) happening at the same time and in the same way every time: Matt came round each Friday, regular as clockwork.4with clockwork precision/accuracy in an extremely exact way