The phrasal verb "clock in" is commonly used in informal settings, primarily within the context of workplace environments or discussions related to attendance and time management. It refers to the action of recording one's arrival time at work, usually by using a time-card system or an electronic time-tracking device. While "clock in" is more prevalent in everyday and conversational language, it can occasionally appear in formal discourse, particularly in human resource documentation or employment policies that specify attendance procedures. Typically associated with hourly workers, the phrase can also extend to any context where logging the start time of an activity is required, like events or study sessions. "Clock in" is often used in tandem with its counterpart "clock out," which indicates recording the time of departure from work.
B1
PreIntermediate
1. To record the time that one begins work at an establishment, typically involving the use of a time clock or similar system.
Every morning, I clock in at 8:30 AM before starting my shift.
Workers are required to clock in as soon as they arrive at the factory.
2. To officially begin the work period at a job or task.
Make sure to clock in by the scheduled start time to avoid being penalized.
Employees clock in at the office before heading out for their field assignments.