clock up
B2 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To slowly add up to a big number of something over time.
Literal meaning: To make the clock or counter go up — i.e., to accumulate time or a measurable quantity.
Meanings
1 B2
idiomatic
informal
To reach or accumulate a total number or amount over time.
"By the end of the tour, the band had clocked up over fifty thousand miles on the road."
Grammar: separable
2 B2
idiomatic
neutral
To accumulate hours of work, overtime, or service.
"She clocked up thirty hours of overtime in a single month."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Very common in British English. Used with distances, hours, years, scores, and similar measurable quantities. Suggests gradual accumulation over time. Rarely used in formal writing.
Commonly used with
miles hours points years overtime sales
Forms
Base
clock up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
clocks up
he/she/it
Past simple
clocked up
yesterday
Past participle
clocked up
have + pp
-ing form
clocking up
continuous
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