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to clock in

to clock in

10 3.2
Use a machine to show the time you arrive at work
  • phrasal verb
  • /klɑk ɪn/
translation icon : fichar
  • After my lunch break, I need to clock in again to officially resume my shift.
  • clock in this morning
  • clocked in at 5:30 A.M.
  • clocked in 2,499 hours

Employees clock in a little late, they clock out a little early, and they do the bare minimum to maintain employment.

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Examples

  • I've always looked at it as almost working at a factory because you go to work, you clock in, and you do your time.

    Blog text (11)
  • - Have you even clocked in yet?

  • And l forgot to clock in after my break.

  • From now on, everyone needs to clock in and out.

  • You ready to clock in?

  • - Wait here, I'm gonna go clock in.

  • I assume with most jobs, any time you clock in after the designated time, you are late.

    Blog text (10)
  • All right, gentlemen, the day shift is clocking in.

  • We have to clock in and out for smokes at my job.

    Blog text (2)
  • Made it to work and clocked in at about 9:30 a.m.

    Blog text (23)

Synonyms

to punch in
vsto clock in
5 3.5

Record the time you arrive at work using a time clock or electronic system

describes the same process not different in meaning
to clock on
vsto clock in
  • UK
4.8

Record the time you arrive at work with a card or badge

means the same action of recording work arrival time

Antonyms

11 3.4

To record the time you leave work, often using a machine

1 5.0

To record the time you finish work using a machine

How Automated

finger scan
  • Specialized
3.5
to swipe
42 3.0
to punch in
5 3.5
to clock in
10 3.2
to register
603 2.8

Surface Forms

clock in infinitive
clocked in past
clocked in past participle
clocking in present participle
clocks in third person singular

Morphology

clock + in

The meaning 'to record the time you arrive at work' follows directly from combining 'clock' (to record time) with the particle 'in' (indicating entry/arrival), so the sense is compositionally predictable. This verb+particle pattern is common and mirrors equivalent constructions in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would very likely infer the meaning.

Etymology

The phrasal verb clock in comes from old factories where workers used a time clock machine that punched a paper card when they arrived. To clock in was to put your card into the clock so it marked the time, and that's why today it means 'to record the time you arrive at work'.