PhrasesHub

Graveyard shift

    Definitions

      • Working late at night
        Referring to a work shift that starts late at night and ends early in the morning, typically between 11 PM and 7 AM. This is often used in a literal sense to describe a job or shift that takes place during these hours, such as a security guard patrolling a graveyard or cemetery.

      • Hard work and long hours
        To convey the idea of someone working very hard and for long hours, often to the point of exhaustion. This is usually used in a figurative sense, to describe a difficult and demanding job or task that requires a lot of dedication and effort.

      • Isolation and loneliness
        To express the feeling of being alone and isolated during the late hours of the night when most people are asleep. This can refer to both the physical isolation of working during the graveyard shift and the emotional isolation that can come from being awake while others are sleeping.

    Examples of Graveyard shift

    • Sarah has worked the graveyard shift at the hospital for the past six months. It's been tough on her mentally and physically, but she's determined to keep going.

      The "graveyard shift" is a term used to describe the overnight shift that takes place between midnight and early morning. In this example, Sarah is working this shift at the hospital, which can be a challenging and demanding time of day.

    • After months of hard work and dedication, John was finally promoted to the graveyard shift at his factory job. While his friends and family were happy for him, he couldn't help feeling a little bit apprehensive about the new schedule.

      In this instance, "graveyard shift" is being used to describe John's new work schedule, which has shifted from daytime hours to overnight hours. While his loved ones are proud of his achievement, John is feeling a little bit uneasy about the change, which is common when adjusting to a new schedule.

    • The graveyard shift at the call center can be a daunting task, with long hours, high stress levels, and a lack of sleep. That's why the company provides its employees with a range of amenities, including free coffee and snacks, to help them get through the night.

      This example shows the use of "graveyard shift" to describe the overnight shift at a call center. This particular shift can be incredibly challenging due to the nature of the job, as it involves dealing with customer inquiries, complaints, and emergencies during the middle of the night. To help employees cope with these demands, the company offers various perks and benefits, such as free refreshments, to help them stay alert and focused.

    • Despite the numerous benefits of working the graveyard shift, such as lower traffic and fewer distractions, Emily finds herself struggling to adjust to the new routine. She's constantly feeling sluggish and fatigued during the day, which is making it difficult for her to complete tasks and interact with her coworkers.

      This final example shows a personal perspective on working the graveyard shift. While there are certainly advantages to this schedule, such as reduced noise and increased productivity, it can also take a toll on one's physical and mental health. In Emily's case, she's feeling drained and disoriented due to the lack of sleep and routine, which is affecting her daytime performance and interactions with others. This is a common issue for people working overnight shifts, as it can be challenging to adjust to a new schedule and maintain a healthy work-life balance.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "graveyard shift" has multiple meanings, all related to working late at night. The first meaning refers to a specific work shift that takes place in the late hours, typically between 11 PM and 7 AM. The second meaning conveys the idea of hard work and long hours, often to the point of exhaustion. And the third meaning expresses the feeling of isolation and loneliness that can come from working during the late hours of the night.

    In all of these meanings, the idiom is used to describe the difficult and demanding nature of working late at night, whether it be in a literal sense as a job or shift that takes place during these hours, or in a figurative sense as a difficult and isolating experience.

    Origin of "Graveyard shift"

    The origin of the idiom "graveyard shift" can be traced back to the 19th century when it was first used to describe an overnight work shift in a factory. This term became more popular in the early 20th century during World War I when it was used to describe the night shift of soldiers who were tasked with burying the dead on the battlefield.

    The term "graveyard shift" is thought to have originated from the idea that the workers on this shift were working in the same hours as those who were buried in a graveyard. This work shift was often seen as undesirable and tiring, which may have contributed to the negative connotations associated with the idiom.

    Today, the term is still used to describe late-night work shifts, but it has also taken on a broader meaning to refer to any difficult and demanding job or task that takes place during the late hours of the night.