flog the clock
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To set the clock forward in order to shorten one's time on watch.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
I recall that I was in the second mate's watch when he accused me of flogging the clock. He did not see me put it forward but obviously he knew the ways of boys.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “flog the clock” mean?
To set the clock forward in order to shorten one's time on watch.
Is “flog the clock” formal or informal?
flog the clock is generally slang.