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  3. Idioms / Maxims / Sayings

Arbeiten nach der Uhr

English translation: Work TO the clock

15:08 Nov 13, 2013
German to English translations [PRO]
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
German term or phrase: Arbeiten nach der Uhr
Man kann auch nur zusätzlich den Kopf schütteln über die erschreckende Begleitmusik aus heutigen Unternehmen oder Gewerkschaften und über mediale Schlagzeilen zu Burnout, Arbeiten nach der Uhr und über ein minimales statt höchstmögliches Arbeitsengagement, gerade in finanziellen Krisenzeiten.

"working by the clock"?

I feel that "Arbeiten nach der Uhr" implies more than that but I'm not sure....
Heike Reagan
United States
Local time: 02:40
English translation:Work TO the clock
Explanation:
And when the clock says 5p.m or whatever, you down tools and go home;
Selected response from:

Andrew Bramhall
United Kingdom
Local time: 07:40
Grading comment
Thank you! I think this version is more applicable to US English and that's what I was looking for.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +9clock-watching
Lancashireman
4 +8Work TO the clock
Andrew Bramhall


  

Answers


1 min   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +8
Work TO the clock


Explanation:
And when the clock says 5p.m or whatever, you down tools and go home;

Andrew Bramhall
United Kingdom
Local time: 07:40
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 12
Grading comment
Thank you! I think this version is more applicable to US English and that's what I was looking for.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Helen Shiner: Yes, working to the clock.
1 min
  -> Thanks; it's like 'work to rule' in the bad old days of 70's strikes.
agree  Matthias Haase: 100% spot on :)
6 mins
  -> Thanks
agree  AllegroTrans
6 mins
  -> Thanks
agree  Claire Cox
9 mins
  -> Thanks
agree  Coqueiro
10 mins
  -> Thanks
agree  Thayenga: :)
3 hrs
  -> Thanks
agree  Rosa Paredes
12 hrs
  -> Thanks
agree  palilula (X)
4 days
  -> Thanks
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

20 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +9
clock-watching


Explanation:
clock-watcher
someone -- a worker or a student -- who is always looking at the clock, anticipating when something will be over. There are four clock-watchers in our office. People who don't like their jobs can turn into clockwatchers.
http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/clock-watching

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 25 mins (2013-11-13 15:34:32 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

clock-watching (ˈklɒkˌwɒtʃɪŋ)
Definitions
noun
(pejorative) the act of checking the time in anticipation of a break or the end of the working day
http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/clock-wa...

I think your text calls for another compound noun (hyphenated or otherwise) rather than a verb phrase to string along with 'burnout'.

Lancashireman
United Kingdom
Local time: 07:40
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 160

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Kevin Fulton: OK in US
15 mins
agree  jccantrell: This is what I would say in the US. If you are a clockwatcher, you are out the door at 5 PM on the dot, whether the job you are doing is finished or not.
20 mins
  -> Hi, jc. I think Heike must live in a different united state.
agree  philgoddard: This is fine in the UK too, and it sounds better than the literal translation.
1 hr
  -> Thanks, Phil. Some like it literal and some don't. It would be helpful if askers classified themselves when posting questions.
agree  Michele Fauble
3 hrs
agree  Ben_ (X)
3 hrs
agree  Helen Shiner: I prefer this, too, in the context.
9 hrs
  -> Thanks, Helen. Not sufficiently 'applicable to US' apparently.
agree  Armorel Young
16 hrs
agree  Ramey Rieger (X)
17 hrs
agree  David Moore (X)
20 hrs
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