# put the clock back

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/put-the-clock-back
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To change the time in a time zone to an earlier time, e.g. for the end of daylight saving time.

## Examples

- Remember to put the clock back one hour tonight.
- We put the clock back on Sunday morning because daylight saving time ended.
- As autumn arrives and the days grow shorter, the government mandates that we put the clock back to align our schedules with the changing sunlight.

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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.