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."
separable
clock up
B2 informal separable transitive
To accumulate or reach a particular total of something, such as miles, hours, or points.
In plain English
To slowly add up to a big number of something over time.
What does "clock up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To accumulate hours of work, overtime, or service.
"She clocked up thirty hours of overtime in a single month."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To make the clock or counter go up — i.e., to accumulate time or a measurable quantity.
Actually means
To slowly add up to a big number of something over time.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "clock up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
miles hours points years overtime sales
How to conjugate "clock up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "clock up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "clock up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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