English Reference
Idiom idiom

milk the clock


To use as much time as one can in order to gain a benefit.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

The team is just milking the clock to keep their lead.

CONTEXTUAL

The contractor was clearly milking the clock to increase his billable hours for the project.

COMPLEX

Rather than finishing the assignment early, the employee chose to milk the clock until the final bell rang.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    around the clock

    Alternative form of around-the-clock.

  2. 02

    beat the clock

    To perform a task or successfully complete an activity within a time limit.

  3. 03

    clean someone's clock

    To defeat someone decisively, in a physical fight or other competition or negotiation.

  4. 04

    clock in

    To be measured at.

  5. 05

    clock is ticking

    Time is running out; a deadline is approaching.

  6. 06

    clock the tea

    To discover the truth about something.

  7. 07

    cry over spilt milk

    To worry about unfortunate events which have already happened and which cannot be changed.

  8. 08

    dick milk

    Semen.

Last updated August 10, 2026