PhrasesHub

as regular as clockwork

    Definitions

      • extremely punctual
        Describing something that occurs with precise regularity and predictability, like the functioning of a clock

    Examples of as regular as clockwork

    • The sun rises every morning as regular as clockwork, marking the start of a new day.

      The expression "as regular as clockwork" is used here to describe how the sun rises at a fixed time every day, just as a clockwork mechanism follows a set sequence of movements without fail.

    • Our office cleanup schedule is as regular as clockwork, with the cleaning staff coming in at the same time every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

      This example shows that the "as regular as clockwork" idiom can also refer to a routine or schedule that is followed consistently.

    • The commuter train leaves the station at precisely 7:30 am every morning, running as regularly as clockwork.

      Here, "as regularly as clockwork" highlights the fact that the train departs punctually and reliably at the same time each day.

    • She wakes up every day at exactly 6 am, as regular as clockwork, and hits the gym for a workout before starting her day.

      This last example emphasizes how the idiom can be used to describe personal routines or habits that are followed consistently like clockwork.

    • The train arrived at the station punctually, as regular as clockwork, at exactly 5:00 PM every working day.

      This idiom defines a situation where an action or event follows a fixed routine or schedule with utmost regularity and predictability, and is likened to the dependable and timely operation of a well-maintained clock. In this example, the train's arrival time is consistently and precisely timed like a clock's accurate and steady progression of its gears and hands.

    • Every morning, our security guard makes his rounds around the office buildings, as regular as clockwork, at exactly 7:30 AM sharp.

      This idiom is used to convey the faithful and routine performance of an action or job, with an unvarying and unerring consistency over an extended period, which is similar to the reliable and correct functioning of a clock. In this example, the security guard follows his designated rounds at a precise time, without any variation or deviation, much like the movement of clock's mechanical components.

    • My boss expects me to finish my work on time, as regular as clockwork, every single day without any exceptions.

      This idiom is used to describe a situation where an individual is required to fulfill a task, chore, or responsibility at a predetermined or scheduled time, much like the counter-clockwise rotation of a clock's hour hand as it advances through the day. In this example, the employee is expected to meet the deadline for work completion, as punctually and consistently as a clock's accurate and reliable movements.

    • The postman delivers mails to the houses in our neighborhood, as regular as clockwork, at around 3:00 PM every afternoon.

      In this example, the idiom implies that the postman carries out the task of delivering mails with a constant and fixed schedule or routine, much like the regular and exact behavior of a clock's hands and gears. This idiom is used to emphasize the precision, regularity, and punctuality associated with the postman's daily mail delivery, which is similar to the exactness and predictability of a clock's operation.


    Conclusion

    "As regular as clockwork" is an expression used to emphasize how something happens at a fixed and reliable pace, much like the consistent ticking of a clock. It can refer to someone's punctuality or to the predictable occurrence of events. This idiom is commonly employed to highlight the dependability and precision of a person, routine, or process.

    Origin of "as regular as clockwork"

    The origin of the idiom "as regular as clockwork" dates back to the 18th century when clocks became more accurate and widely used. Clocks were a symbol of precision and regularity, as they were meticulously designed to keep time accurately. The phrase likely gained popularity during this time as people started to appreciate the reliability of clock mechanisms.

    An example of the idiom's usage can be found in literature from the 19th century, where authors would describe a character's habits or actions as being as regular as clockwork to emphasize their consistency. Over time, the idiom has become ingrained in the English language as a way to convey the idea of something happening predictably and without fail.