# get one's clock cleaned

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/get-ones-clock-cleaned
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To be thoroughly defeated.

## Examples

- The team got their clocks cleaned in the final game.
- He thought he could win the chess match easily, but he got his clock cleaned in under ten minutes.
- Despite his confidence and months of rigorous preparation, the challenger got his clock cleaned by the reigning champion in the very first round.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.