flog the clock

English

Verb

flog the clock (third-person singular simple present flogs the clock, present participle flogging the clock, simple past and past participle flogged the clock)

1. (naval slang) To set the clock forward in order to shorten one's time on watch.
   • 1956, New South Wales. Parliament, Parliamentary Debates, page 1449:

     I recall that I was in the second mate's watch when he accused me of flogging the clock. He did not see me put it forward but obviously he knew the ways of boys.

   • 2011, Jimmy Buchan, Trawlerman: Life at the Helm of the Toughest Job in Britain:

     On one trip three lads on night watch all had the same idea, and when the skipper went up to the wheelhouse the following morning he was spitting mad, wanting to know who'd flogged the clock a half-hour forward.