1 B2 idiomatic informal
To deliberately use up remaining game time, especially to protect a lead near the end of a match.
"With only two minutes left and a goal ahead, the team started to clock down and keep possession."
inseparable
clock down
B2 informal inseparable intransitive
To deliberately use up the remaining time on a game clock, especially to protect a lead.
In plain English
To use up the last minutes of a game on purpose so your team wins.
What does "clock down" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To make the clock go down (decrease) by using time.
Actually means
To use up the last minutes of a game on purpose so your team wins.
Usage tip
Primarily used in sports commentary, especially American football, basketball, and soccer. Teams 'clock down' when they have a lead and want to run out the clock. More common in American English sports contexts.
Words that pair with "clock down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
lead clock time game match possession
How to conjugate "clock down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
clock down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
clocks down
he/she/it
Past simple
clocked down
yesterday
Past participle
clocked down
have + pp
-ing form
clocking down
continuous
Hear "clock down" in the wild
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