B2idiominformalworkIELTS-friendly
off the clock
USUK
not officially working, or working without being paid for the time
Two uses: unpaid work ('work off the clock') or time outside working hours ('what you do off the clock'). The opposite is 'on the clock'. American in origin, now common in the UK too.
In context
I answered a few emails off the clock, but I did not ask to be paid for them.
We talk more freely off the clock, so I would rather ask my boss over coffee.
More idioms about work
- a baptism of firea very difficult first experience of a new job or activity
- a cushy joba job that is easy and pleasant but still pays well
- a dead-end joba job with no chance of promotion or of learning anything new
- a jack of all tradesa person who can do many different kinds of work fairly well
- a labour of lovehard work that you do because you enjoy it or care about it, not for money