graveyard shift

Noun

graveyard shift (plural graveyard shifts)

1. A work shift late at night, especially one from midnight to 8 AM on a three-shift schedule.
   • Near-synonym: night shift (sometimes synonymous; sometimes coordinate)
   • I had to work the graveyard shift for most of that year, and at first I hated it, but eventually I even kind of liked it, in some ways.

   Synonyms:

   night shift

   Antonyms:

   day shift

2. A group of workers who work during this time slot.
   • Near-synonym: night shift (sometimes synonymous; sometimes coordinate)
   • You'll have to ask the graveyard shift — the equipment was here when we left.

   Synonyms:

   night shift

   Antonyms:

   day shift