swing shift

American  

noun

1. a work shift in industry from midafternoon until midnight.

2. the group of workers on such a shift.

---

swing shift British  

noun

1. a group of workers who work a shift from late afternoon to midnight in an industry or occupation where a day shift or a night shift is also worked

2. the period worked

---

Other Word Forms

• swing shifter noun

Etymology

Origin of swing shift

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

He chose the swing shift so that his wife could use the couple’s car for her day shift.

From Washington Post

Folk said that at the downtown jail, yesterday's "swing shift" was the first time in three months that an employee was not mandated to work overtime, and was compromised of only volunteers.

From Fox News

He’s a floor boss at Bimbo Bakeries USA, working swing shift at the company’s Pico Rivera distribution center.

From Los Angeles Times

Most recently, Lim worked the swing shift, 1 p.m. to 1 a.m., at Community Regional Medical Center.

From Los Angeles Times

The man said he worked a swing shift the day Watkins disappeared and had never seen her before, police said.

From Fox News