Definition of clock up

The phrase "clock up" originated in the world of sports, specifically in British rugby league in the early 20th century. The term refers to the act of registering a point, typically a try or a conversion, on the scoreboard. In rugby league (and association football), each team has a goal or try line on opposite ends of the pitch. If a player carries the ball over the try line, they score a try, which is worth four points. The team then has the opportunity to kick the ball through the goal posts for an additional two points, known as a conversion. To keep track of the score, the referee uses a scoring system known as a "clock," which consists of a series of large numbers on a moveable board. When a team scores a try, the referee "clocks up" the score by moving the relevant digits on the board. This is known as "clocking up" the points. The phrase "clock up" has since become popular in other sports that use a scoring system, such as basketball and volleyball, as a way to describe the act of adding points to the scoreboard. It is also used more broadly to refer to the act of registering a successful outcome or accomplishment, particularly in situations where time or measurement is involved.