flogging the clock

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