Is the saying "a broken clock is right twice a day" accurate?

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Is the saying "a broken clock is right twice a day" accurate?

The saying "a broken clock is right twice a day" is an idiomatic expression that is often used to indicate that even a source of typically errant or flawed information or results can occasionally be correct. And it is indeed accurate, under a specific condition.

The phrase originates from the behavior of analog clocks. If an analog clock is broken or stops entirely, its hands will be frozen at a specific time. Given that there are 24 hours in a day and the clock hands circulate twice in that period (representing AM and PM), those hands will show the correct time twice every day.

For example: If an analog clock is broken and stops at 3:00, it will show the correct time at both 3:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

However, it's critical to note that this saying only applies to analog clocks and not digital ones. If a digital clock breaks, it's likely not to show any time at all.


Learn more:

  1. Even a Stopped Clock Is Right Twice a Day: Meaning and Origin - Writing Explained
  2. English Idiomatic Expressions and Examples, Time - Learn English Today
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