on the clock

prepositional phrase8

1. •
   Working at one's job; occupied in some manner during one's hours of remunerated employment.

   • Danica Patrick is still on the clock. Her crew members . . . are at the end of their workday. Hers drags on. — 2006
2. •
   During one's official working hours; in or into a position of remunerated employment.

   • Money earmarked for services and repairs often found its way to payroll, to put yet more unskilled workers on the clock. — 1997
3. •
   Of a taxicab, engaged for hire; displayed numerically as time or fare on the meter of a taxicab.

   • If a fare paid him no more than what was on the clock, he'd shout out: "If you can't afford cabs you should take the 'bus." — 1971
4. •
   In the official time remaining in a game or other sporting event.

   • With only three seconds on the clock and the Knicks about to win, 102-96, in their playoff opener against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden last night, Rick Pitino enjoyed the moment. — 1989
5. •
   In the official time expired in a game or other sporting event.

   • There were 26 minutes on the clock before Scotland had their first real opportunity. — 2007
6. •
   Displayed numerically on the mileage or kilometric gauge.

   • And with 112,000 miles on the clock this isn't scary mileage for this type of car. — 2008
7. •
   Under scrutiny due to having to make a decision or produce results within a set period of time.
8. •
   Remunerated per unit of time.

   • Alas, the delivery boy is on the clock; he could and would work much faster on commission!