Continuity: English Vocabulary List

to a point where one is very tired and has no more energy to keep on

"She worked until she dropped."

"The athletes trained until they dropped, pushing their bodies to the absolute limit during the intense preparation."

through the whole life span of a person

"He worked hard from cradle to grave."

"The insurance policy covers the customer from the cradle to the grave with lifelong benefits."

a long period of time

"I've waited donkey's years."

"He has been working on that novel for donkey's years, constantly revising and refining his story."

to have been present for a long time, as in conflicts or business

"Our businesses go back."

"The two rival companies go back a long way, with a history of intense competition."

in a way that is very regular or precisely as planned

"The train arrived like clockwork."

"The morning newspaper delivery arrives at precisely 7 AM every day, functioning like clockwork without fail."

non-stop and continuing through the whole day and night

"We work around the clock."

"The nurses worked around the clock during the pandemic to care for the many patients who needed help."

something that cannot continue to work or make progress without stops or interruptions

"The project progressed in fits and starts."

"The construction work progressed in fits and starts because of bad weather and material shortages."

happening or done on a daily basis

"He works day in, day out."

"The dedicated farmer tends to his crops day in, day out, ensuring they receive the best possible care."

to have a long history or past relationship with someone or something

"We go back a long way."

"My grandmother and her best friend go back a long way, having known each other since childhood."