Stay on Time with Clock, Watch Expressions
2022-07-31
LRC
TXT
大字
小字
滚动
全页
1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
2On this program we explore words and expressions in the English language.
3We give you examples and sometimes notes on usage.
4Today we talk about expressions related to keeping on time.
5To help us plan our time, we use tools - namely clocks and watches.
6If something happens at the exact same time every day it is predictable.
7When an event is very regular, we can say we could "set our watch by it."
8And that is our first expression - to set your watch by something.
9You might hear someone using it like this:
10Regina leaves her house to go to work every weekday at exactly 7a.m - never a minute earlier or later.
11You can set your watch by it.
12In this example, you could say that Regina is a "creature of habit."
13This means she sticks to her plan no matter what happens.
14And that is why you can set your watch by her.
15This expression can also describe someone who is always on time.
16They are reliable and punctual - like in this example.
17A: John said he'd be here at 3 p.m. and it's 2:45 p.m.
18If he's late, we'll miss our train!
19B: Don't worry. If John said he will be here, then he will be here.
20He's always right on time. You could set your watch by him.
21Now, let's talk about clocks: devices that tell time.
22Some events or activities happen easily and on time.
23And some systems operate without a problem.
24If everything is going as planned, we can say it is "running like clockwork."
25Clockwork is a system of wheels and springs inside mechanical clocks.
26The term means something that is carefully made which runs smoothly and on time.
27Once, I ran a two-week teacher training class.
28It took a lot of work to organize and had "many moving parts," or things that needed to be done.
29But I'm happy to say that the training ran like clockwork!
30Here is another way to say that: The training went off "without a hitch." Here, "hitch" is a problem.
31To run like clockwork means to operate with extreme regularity.
32Some word experts say that using a clock mechanism to describe other areas of our lives dates from at least the late seventeenth century.
33Now, listen to this example:
34For a big company event, we rented a conference room in a big hotel.
35But we only had the space until 3 p.m.
36And we had a lot of issues to cover. Luckily, the event ran like clockwork.
37We got all our work done and still had time left over to have a little fun!
38The expression "run like clockwork" can also mean to operate, manage, control, or direct something in a very smooth, efficient, reliable manner.
39Used this way, a noun or pronoun is used between "run" and "like clockwork."
40Here are some examples:
41When the new manager took over, he wanted to run the office like clockwork.
42So, he made the workers take lunch at set times every day.
43When I lived in Seattle, I ran a children's theater festival like clockwork.
44All the performances were on time and everyone had a blast!
45Years ago in Washington, DC, I ran a children's summer camp like clockwork.
46All the activities were on time, and all the children had a blast.
47And that's all the time we have for Words and Their Stories.
48But we'll be back at the same time next week because this show runs like clockwork.
49You can set your clock by it!
50Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo.
1And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. 2On this program we explore words and expressions in the English language. We give you examples and sometimes notes on usage. 3Today we talk about expressions related to keeping on time. To help us plan our time, we use tools - namely clocks and watches. 4If something happens at the exact same time every day it is predictable. When an event is very regular, we can say we could "set our watch by it." 5And that is our first expression - to set your watch by something. 6You might hear someone using it like this: 7Regina leaves her house to go to work every weekday at exactly 7a.m - never a minute earlier or later. You can set your watch by it. 8In this example, you could say that Regina is a "creature of habit." This means she sticks to her plan no matter what happens. And that is why you can set your watch by her. 9This expression can also describe someone who is always on time. They are reliable and punctual - like in this example. 10A: John said he'd be here at 3 p.m. and it's 2:45 p.m. If he's late, we'll miss our train! 11B: Don't worry. If John said he will be here, then he will be here. He's always right on time. You could set your watch by him. 12Now, let's talk about clocks: devices that tell time. 13Some events or activities happen easily and on time. And some systems operate without a problem. If everything is going as planned, we can say it is "running like clockwork." 14Clockwork is a system of wheels and springs inside mechanical clocks. The term means something that is carefully made which runs smoothly and on time. 15Once, I ran a two-week teacher training class. It took a lot of work to organize and had "many moving parts," or things that needed to be done. But I'm happy to say that the training ran like clockwork! 16Here is another way to say that: The training went off "without a hitch." Here, "hitch" is a problem. 17To run like clockwork means to operate with extreme regularity. Some word experts say that using a clock mechanism to describe other areas of our lives dates from at least the late seventeenth century. 18Now, listen to this example: 19For a big company event, we rented a conference room in a big hotel. But we only had the space until 3 p.m. And we had a lot of issues to cover. Luckily, the event ran like clockwork. We got all our work done and still had time left over to have a little fun! 20The expression "run like clockwork" can also mean to operate, manage, control, or direct something in a very smooth, efficient, reliable manner. Used this way, a noun or pronoun is used between "run" and "like clockwork." 21Here are some examples: 22When the new manager took over, he wanted to run the office like clockwork. So, he made the workers take lunch at set times every day. 23When I lived in Seattle, I ran a children's theater festival like clockwork. All the performances were on time and everyone had a blast! 24Years ago in Washington, DC, I ran a children's summer camp like clockwork. All the activities were on time, and all the children had a blast. 25And that's all the time we have for Words and Their Stories. But we'll be back at the same time next week because this show runs like clockwork. You can set your clock by it! 26Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo. 27Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. 28______________________________________________________________________ 29Words in This Story 30habit -n. a usual way of behaving; something that a person does often in a regular and repeated way 31reliable -adj. able to be trusted to do or provide what is needed 32punctual -adj. doing something at the expected time 33efficient -adj. able to produce desired results without wasting materials, time, or energy 34blast -n. (informal) a good time 35_______________________________________________________________________ 36We want to hear from you! 37Do you have a similar expressions in your language? In the Comments section, you can also practice using any of the expressions from the story. 38We have a new comment system. Here is how it works: 39Write your comment in the box. 40Under the box, you can see four images for social media accounts. They are for Disqus, Facebook, Twitter, and Google. 41Click on one image and a box appears. Enter the login for your social media account. Or you may create one on the Disqus system. It is the blue circle with "D" on it. It is free. 42Each time you return to comment on the Learning English site, you can use your account and see your comments and replies to them. Our comment policy is here.