turn the/(one's) clock(s) forward

turn the/(one's) clock(s) forward

To advance the time on one's clock(s) ahead by one hour to account for the beginning of daylight saving time. Don't forget to turn your clock forward tonight or you'll end up oversleeping tomorrow! I hate having to turn the clocks forward every spring, it's such an antiquated custom.See also: forward, turn

put/turn the ˈclock back

return to the past; return to old-fashioned ideas, customs, etc: Sometimes I wish I could turn the clock back to my days as a student. ♢ These new restrictions on medical research will undoubtedly put the clock back (by) 20 years.See also: back, clock, put, turn