Clean somebody's clock In english explanation

The meaning, explanation, definition and origin of the idiom/phrase "clean somebody's clock", English Idiom Dictionary ( also found in Vietnamese )

author Jimmy Hung calendar 2023-06-01 07:06

Meaning of Clean somebody's clock (redirected from clean one's clock )

Clean one's clock American informal verb phrase

To decisively beat someone up

Shut your mouth up or I'll clean your clock .

James' opponent was so strong that he cleaned James' clock.

Grammar and Usage of Clean one's clock

Verb Forms

  • to clean one's clock
  • cleans one's clock
  • cleaning one's clock
  • cleaned one's clock

The verb "clean" should be conjugated according to its tense. 

Origin of Clean one's clock

The phrase dates from the mid-1900s. This term originated in the military. The use of "clock" is unclear but possibly alludes to hitting someone in the face (for “clockface”).

The Origin Cited: Internet .
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TODAY
To lower the boom (on someone or something)

To punish someone or something harshly 

Example:

He's a really strict teacher, so he'll definitely lower the boom on you if you don't do your homework.

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