like clockwork

Idioms  

1. Also, regular as clockwork. With extreme regularity, as in Ruth arrives every Wednesday morning just like clockwork, or You can count on his schedule, which is regular as clockwork, or Their assembly line runs like clockwork. This idiom alludes to the mechanical and therefore very regular action of a clock. [Second half of 1600s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

like clockwork

I have a confession, and it is not particularly chic: Twice a year, like clockwork, I crave Cajun chicken pasta.

From Salon ● Apr. 7, 2026

With everything working like clockwork, he's clearly run out of things to complain about.

From BBC ● Mar. 6, 2026

I’m not sure what would provoke anyone to tune in, but like clockwork, the viewership billowed to the thousands.

From Slate ● Feb. 23, 2026

My daughter and I brought the Santas out from the garage like clockwork each November to start decorating our home, and we kept them up well into the new year.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 16, 2025

Comes for my recycling every week, like clockwork, all on his own initiative.

From "How It Went Down" by Kekla Magoon