Clock sth Meaning, Examples & How to Use This Phrasal Verb

What Does “Clock sth” Mean?

“Clock sth” is a phrasal verb that means to notice, hit, or record something, depending on the context. It usually involves measuring time, speed, or physically striking someone or something.

Introduction

The phrase “clock sth” has multiple meanings depending on the situation. Most commonly, it means to measure or record a time or speed, such as in sports or racing. For example, a runner might “clock” a certain time in a race. It can also mean to hit someone or something, often suddenly or unexpectedly. Understanding the “clock sth” meaning helps learners use it correctly in different contexts. This phrasal verb is widely used in informal English and often appears in sports, casual conversations, and even in some work environments.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: clock sth (clock something)
• Type: transitive
• Level: B1–B2
• Short meaning: to measure time/speed or to hit something/someone

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Clock sth” is a transitive phrasal verb, meaning it always needs an object (something). It is separable, so the object can come immediately after “clock” or after the object if it is a pronoun.

• clock + something (e.g., clock a time)
• clock + pronoun (e.g., clock it)

Examples:

• She clocked a new personal best in the marathon.
• He clocked him with a punch.

How to Use “Clock sth”?

Use “clock sth” when you want to talk about measuring or recording a time, speed, or distance. For example, athletes or drivers often “clock” their performance times. You can also use it when describing hitting or striking someone or something, usually unexpectedly. The context will tell you which meaning applies.

Examples

• The athlete clocked a time of 9.8 seconds in the 100-meter dash.
• He clocked the ball so hard it flew over the fence.
• She clocked him on the shoulder to get his attention.
• The car clocked 120 miles per hour on the highway.
• In the race, he clocked the fastest lap.

Common Mistakes

• Incorrect: She clocked in the race fast.
• Correct: She clocked a fast time in the race.
• Incorrect: He clocked at the ball.
• Correct: He clocked the ball hard.

Differences / Synonyms

“Clock sth” can be similar to “time sth” when measuring speed or duration, but “clock” often implies official measurement or a recorded result. For hitting, it is similar to “hit” or “punch,” but “clock” usually suggests a strong or sudden strike.

• Clock vs Time: “Time” is more general; “clock” often means recording an official or notable measurement.
• Clock vs Hit: “Hit” is neutral; “clock” suggests a harder or more surprising strike.

Common Collocations

• clock a time
• clock a speed
• clock a punch
• clock a lap
• clock a goal

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of clock sth:

• Clock Sb In
• Clock Sb Out
• Clock Sb Off

Real-life Dialogue

Tom: Did you see how fast she ran?

Anna: Yes, she clocked 10.5 seconds in the 100 meters!

Tom: Wow, that’s impressive.

Anna: Absolutely. Also, did you hear about the fight?

Tom: No, what happened?

Anna: He clocked his opponent right on the jaw.

Practice

Choose the correct sentence:

• a) He clocked the fastest time in the competition.
• b) He clocked on the fastest time in the competition.
• c) He clocked with the fastest time in the competition.

FAQs

• What does “clock sth” mean? It means to measure or record a time or speed, or to hit someone or something.
• Is “clock sth” formal or informal? It is mostly informal and used in spoken English.
• Can I use “clock” without an object? No, “clock” is a transitive verb and requires an object.
• What is the difference between “clock” and “time”? “Clock” often means to officially record or measure, while “time” is more general.
• Can “clock” mean hitting someone? Yes, it can mean to hit someone suddenly or forcefully.