run out the clock

verb

To preserve a lead in a game by retaining possession, to waste time.

Similar
run down the clock
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Meanings

verbrun out the clock (third-person singular simple present runs out the clock, present participle running out the clock, simple past ran out the clock, past participle run out the clock)

present singular third person runs out the clock · participle present running out the clock · past ran out the clock

  1. idiomatichobbiesTo preserve a lead in a game by retaining possession, to waste time.

    Synonyms: run down the clock

Synonyms & antonyms

verbTo preserve a lead in a game by retaining possession, to waste time.

Similar
run down the clock
Also see
rag the puckrun down the clock

Translations

Catalan retenir, congelar
  • retenirpreserve a lead in a game by retaining possession
  • congelarpreserve a lead in a game by retaining possession
French jouer la montre
  • jouer la montrepreserve a lead in a game by retaining possession
Cite this entry
APA

run out the clock. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/run%20out%20the%20clock

MLA

“run out the clock.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/run%20out%20the%20clock. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “run out the clock,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/run%20out%20the%20clock.

Source: run out the clock on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.