clockwork

clock·work

C0413600 (klŏk′wûrk′)n. A mechanism of geared wheels driven by a wound spring, as in a mechanical clock.Idiom: like clockwork With machinelike regularity and precision; perfectly: The project proceeded like clockwork.

clockwork

(ˈklɒkˌwɜːk) n1. (Horology) the mechanism of a clock2. (Horology) any similar mechanism, as in a wind-up toy3. like clockwork with complete regularity and precision

clock•work

(ˈklɒkˌwɜrk)

n. 1. the mechanism of a clock. 2. any mechanism similar to that of a clock. Idioms: like clockwork, with perfect regularity or precision. [1620–30]

Thesaurus

Noun

clockwork - any mechanism of geared wheels that is driven by a coiled spring; resembles the works of a mechanical clockmainspring - the most important spring in a mechanical device (especially a clock or watch); as it uncoils it drives the mechanismmechanism - device consisting of a piece of machinery; has moving parts that perform some function

Translations

发条装置

clock

(klok) noun1. an instrument for measuring time, but not worn on the wrist like a watch. We have five clocks in our house; an alarm clock (= a clock with a ringing device for waking one up in the morning). （时）钟 2. an instrument for measuring speed of a vehicle or distance travelled by a vehicle. My car has 120,000 miles on the clock.里程表 verb to register (a time) on a stopwatch etc. 用秒表记时ˈclockwise adverb in the direction of the movement of the hands of a clock. The children moved clockwise round the room, then anticlockwise.顺时针方向地ˈclockwork noun machinery similar to that of a clock. a toy which works by clockwork.发条装置clock in/out/on/off to register or record time of arriving at or leaving work. 记上下班到离时间clock up to reach a total of. I've clocked up eight thousand miles this year in my car.达到…的总里程like clockwork very smoothly and without faults. Everything went like clockwork. 顺利地，有规律地 round the clock the whole day and the whole night. to work round the clock. 连续24小时，连续一昼夜

clockwork

be as regular as clockwork

To happen at predictable intervals. My daughter starts crying every night at bedtime—it's as regular as clockwork.See also: clockwork, regular

go like clockwork

To proceed, progress, or operate predictably and dependably. Everything is going like clockwork, so we should be ready to start construction by the end of the month. The conference went like clockwork from beginning to end.See also: clockwork, go, like

like clockwork

Predictably and dependably. Everything is going like clockwork, so we should be ready to start construction by the end of the month. The conference went like clockwork from beginning to end.See also: clockwork, like

(as) regular as clockwork

1. Occurring at consistent, predictable intervals or points in time. One thing I loved about living in Germany was that the trains were always regular as clockwork. Every evening at 8 PM, as regular as clockwork, my dad sits in his armchair and reads the newspaper for exactly 45 minutes.2. slang To have reliable, healthy bowel movements. I've been as regular as clockwork every since I started eating a healthier balance of protein, fiber, and carbohydrates. Drinking all of this prune juice keeps me regular as clockwork!See also: clockwork, regular

run like clockwork

1. To proceed, progress, or operate smoothly, predictably, and according to plan. Everything is running like clockwork, so we should be ready to start construction by the end of the month. The conference ran like clockwork from beginning to end.2. To operate, manage, control, or direct something in a very smooth, efficient, reliable manner. The new manager they hired has been running this branch like clockwork. I intend to run this festival like clockwork, so I'm trying to plan for any and all eventualities.See also: clockwork, like, run

go like clockwork

Fig. to progress with regularity and dependability. The building project is progressing nicely. Everything is going like clockwork. The elaborate pageant was a great success. It went like clockwork from start to finish.See also: clockwork, go, like

*regular as clockwork

Cliché very regular; completely predictable. (*Also: as ~.) George goes down to the bus stop at 7:45 every morning, as regular as clockwork. You can always depend on Nancy to complain about the office for fifteen minutes every afternoon, regular as clockwork.See also: clockwork, regular

run like clockwork

to run very well; to progress very well. I want this office to run like clockwork—with everything on time and everything done right. The plans for the party were made and we knew that we could depend on Alice to make sure that everything ran like clockwork.See also: clockwork, like, run

like clockwork

Also, regular as clockwork. With extreme regularity, as in Ruth arrives every Wednesday morning just like clockwork, or You can count on his schedule, which is regular as clockwork, or Their assembly line runs like clockwork. This idiom alludes to the mechanical and therefore very regular action of a clock. [Second half of 1600s] See also: clockwork, like

like clockwork

COMMON1. If something goes or runs like clockwork, it works very well and happens in exactly the way it is expected to. The journey there went like clockwork — flying out on Friday from Gatwick it took seven hours door-to-door. He soon had the household running like clockwork.2. If someone does something like clockwork, they do it regularly, always at the same time. They would arrive like clockwork just before dawn. Every day at 3:00, like clockwork, he comes in here for a cup of coffee. Note: You can also say that someone does something, or that something happens, regular as clockwork. Every three years, regular as clockwork, the great Anne Tyler produces a new novel.See also: clockwork, like

like clockwork

1 very smoothly and easily, with no disruptions or problems. 2 with mechanical regularity.See also: clockwork, like

go/run like ˈclockwork

(of arrangements, etc.) happen according to plan, without any difficulty or trouble: The sports day went like clockwork, with every race starting and finishing on time.See also: clockwork, go, like, run

(as) regular as ˈclockwork

very regularly; happening at the same time in the same way; reliable: She arrives at work on her bicycle at 8.45 every day, as regular as clockwork.See also: clockwork, regular

like clockwork

With machinelike regularity and precision; perfectly: The project proceeded like clockwork.See also: clockwork, like

run like clockwork, to

To operate with extreme regularity. The transfer from a clock mechanism to other areas dates from the late seventeenth century. “The king’s last years passed as regularly as clockwork,” wrote Hugh Walpole (Reminiscences, 1789).See also: like, run

clockwork

clock·work

clockwork

clock•work

clock

clockwork

be as regular as clockwork

go like clockwork

like clockwork

(as) regular as clockwork

run like clockwork

go like clockwork

*regular as clockwork

run like clockwork

like clockwork

like clockwork

like clockwork

go/run like ˈclockwork

(as) regular as ˈclockwork

like clockwork

run like clockwork, to

clockwork

clockwork

clockwork

Words related to clockwork

noun any mechanism of geared wheels that is driven by a coiled spring

Related Words