graveyard shift
The term "graveyard shift" likely originated in the late 1800s, drawing a comparison to the stillness of a graveyard at night.
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Definition
B2Employment
(common)A work period that takes place during the late night and early morning hours, typically from midnight to 8 a.m.
Example
- The factory runs three shifts, and I usually get the graveyard shift.
- She started working the graveyard shift at the hospital last month.
B2Employment
(common)A set of workers assigned to work during late night hours, usually from midnight to early morning.
Example
- The graveyard shift is responsible for maintaining the plant overnight.
- Working the graveyard shift can be tough on one's social life.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "graveyard shift":
night shiftthird shiftswing shiftday shiftfirst shiftsecond shiftwork nightsshift aboutnight watchnight watchmanwitching hour