clockwork

clockwork
clock|work [ˈklɔk-wə:k US ˈkla:k-wə:rk] n [U]
1.) BrE clockwork toys, trains, soldiers etc have machinery inside them that makes them move when you turn a key
▪ mechanical toys powered by clockwork
▪ The tape was driven by a clockwork motor.
2.) go/run like clockwork
to happen in exactly the way you had planned
▪ The concert went like clockwork.
3.) like clockwork also (as) regular as clockwork
happening at the same time and in the same way every time
▪ Matt came round each Friday, regular as clockwork.
4.) with clockwork precision/accuracy
in an extremely exact way

Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • clockwork — ► NOUN ▪ a mechanism with a spring and toothed gearwheels, used to drive a mechanical clock, toy, or other device. ● like clockwork Cf. ↑like clockwork …   English terms dictionary

  • clockwork — [kläk′wʉrk΄] n. 1. the mechanism of a clock 2. any similar mechanism, consisting of springs and geared wheels, as in some mechanical toys like clockwork very regularly, precisely, and evenly …   English World dictionary

  • Clockwork — Clock work ( w[^u]rk ), n. The machinery of a clock, or machinery resembling that of a clock; machinery which produces regularity of movement. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • clockwork — 1660s, mechanism of a clock, from CLOCK (Cf. clock) (n.) + WORK (Cf. work) (n.). Figurative sense of anything of unvarying regularity is recorded earlier (1620s) …   Etymology dictionary

  • clockwork — [n] being on time; precision accuracy, consistency, perfect timing, regularity, smoothness; concept 818 …   New thesaurus

  • Clockwork — For other uses, see Clockwork (disambiguation). Gear with escapement mechanism …   Wikipedia

  • clockwork — noun (U) 1 clockwork toys, trains, soldiers etc have machinery inside them to make them move when you turn a key 2 go like clockwork if something you have arranged goes like clockwork, it happens in exactly the way you planned: The concert went… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • Clockwork — Este artículo o sección necesita referencias que aparezcan en una publicación acreditada, como revistas especializadas, monografías, prensa diaria o páginas de Internet fidedignas. Puedes añadirlas así o avisar …   Wikipedia Español

  • clockwork — [[t]klɒ̱kwɜː(r)k[/t]] 1) ADJ: ADJ n A clockwork toy or device has machinery inside it which makes it move or operate when it is wound up with a key. ...a clockwork train set. 2) PHRASE: PHR after v If you say that something happens like clockwork …   English dictionary

  • clockwork — n. (misc.) to work like clockwork ( to work perfectly ); as regular as clockwork ( completely regular ) * * * [ klɒkwɜːk] as regular as clockwork ( completely regular ) (misc.) to work like clockwork ( to work perfectly ) …   Combinatory dictionary

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