watch the clock—
1. keep one’s eye on the clock to avoid being late, etc.:
- They work under the beady eye of their crew chief, who monitors their progress and constantly watches the clock, counting the minutes.
2. (also: clock-watch) keep one’s eye on the clock waiting for the end of one’s work day (used showing disapproval):
- The man who watches the clock and is afraid he will do too much will never get very far in the milling business.
Cf.: clock-watcher—(derog.) a man who takes care not to exceed his minimum working hours; smb. who quits at once when it is time:
- I don’t want to be a clock-watcher, and appreciate that my working conditions are better than most people’s.
watch the time—
1. = watch the clock 1:
- Trying to read a book, she watched the time tick round until it was a reasonable time to get undressed and try to sleep.
2. wait for the right moment or opportunity:
- This is the chance to live in dreams and to watch the time for dreams to become your own realities.