What Does “Clock It” Mean on TikTok?

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Learn how to do the “clock it” hand gesture

Co-authored by Tobi Nwodo and Marcus Pruitt, BS

Last Updated: August 20, 2025 Fact Checked

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• “Clock It” Meaning
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• Using “Clock It”
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• Origins
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• “Clock It” Hand Gesture
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• Other TikTok Slang
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• Video

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Have you ever heard someone say “clock it” on TikTok? This slang term may have originated in the drag and ballroom scene, but Gen Z and Gen Alpha have made it their own. In this article, we’ll explain what “clock it” means, how to use it, and where the term comes from. We’ll also explain the accompanying hand gesture and provide insight into other popular TikTok slang.

“Clock It” Meaning

The slang term “clock it” means to call out a hidden truth, lie, or secret motive in a way that’s playful and/or knowing. It’s a popular phrase on TikTok, often being used to express praise for creators who speak out about issues that involve lies, rumors, and/or gossip.

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Section 1 of 5:

What does “clock it” mean?

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1. 
   To “clock it” means to call out a hidden truth. The popular TikTok phrase “clock it” means to expose a secret motive, facade, or hidden truth in a way that’s playful, casual, and/or knowing. For example, if someone says that they just got a new car with no miles on it, but you rode by their house the other day and saw a used 2017 Kia Soul in their driveway the other day, calling them out about the car would be clocking them.

   • You may also hear people saying “clock that tea ,” which has the same meaning as “clock it.”
   • Justin Bieber has also been turned into a meme for incorrectly using the phrase and saying “It’s not clocking to you,” implying that the other person didn’t understand what he was saying.
   • According to meme, brainrot, and slang content creator Tobi Nwodo, Gen Z slang tends to be casual, entertaining, and humorous. It’s often used to casually and jokingly describe different scenarios.
   • The term “clock it” isn’t to be confused with “clock,” which means to punch someone really hard.
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Section 2 of 5:

How to Use “Clock It”

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1. 
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   Use “clock” it when you call out hidden or untrue information. When you (or someone you know) notice someone is deliberately keeping information from you, use the phrase “clock it” to let them know that you’ve noticed the lie and call them out. For example:

   • Your Friend: “Girl, Sasha kept telling us about how she found this new perfect man who’s going to take her out to Paris. Tell me why I did some digging and found out they’re going to Paris, Texas.”
   • You: “Oop, clock it! Why would she even lie about something like that…”
   • TikTok Example: On August 13, 2025, @artorwhatevs posted a TikTok of Love Island star Serena Page talking about how she isn’t going to fellow co-star Kendall Washington’s party because he’s fake, with the caption “Clock it.”
   • TikTok Example: On May 7, 2025, @aaaaaa posted a TikTok of gay icon Saucy Santana jokingly posing with the caption “Me after clocking my hg tea.”
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   Use “clock it” playfully when you witness a roast. While “clock it” is most often used to call out hidden or untrue information, it can also be used playfully. If someone delivers a really good roast, you might say “Clock it!” if you thought the roast was accurate.

   • Example: After a roast, you might say, “Clock it! He brought receipts!”
   • Example: “You thought you were slick trying to hide your weak fit, but we definitely clocked it.”
3. 
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   Use “clock it” to show praise to someone for calling someone out. When you want to back up your friend after they clocked someone for being untrue or leading you and/or others astray, use the term “clock it.” If your friend just called someone out and everyone in the room has been meaning to bring it up, say “Oop, clock it!” For example:

   • Your Friend: “We all saw you leaving the party with Jonas last weekend. You’ve been trying to hide it from us this whole week, but you’re not slick.”
   • You: “Clock it! You’re on their head!”
   • Gen Alpha kids have also started using “clock it” when they compliment someone, even though this isn’t the “right” way to use the phrase. For example, someone might say, “Your nails look nice. Clocked it!” to show that they noticed your nails.
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Section 3 of 5:

Where does “clock it” come from?

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1. The slang term “clock it” originates from the LGBTQ+ drag scene. Although the term gained widespread popularity on TikTok, “clock it” comes from drag and ballroom culture. In drag and ballroom culture, clocking someone meant noticing something that they had intentionally hidden, like their sexual orientation. Over time, the phrase gradually made its way to the mainstream thanks to LGBTQ+ centered shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race.

Section 4 of 5:

What is the “clock it” hand gesture?

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1. 
   The “clock it” gesture is a callback to drag and ballroom culture. The “clock it” gesture, which is the pinching of your fingers to make a subtle clap, was used in drag and ballroom culture and paired with snaps, poses, and extravagant looks. The soft gesture was adopted by Gen Z and Gen Alpha influencers on TikTok, who quickly helped popularize it even more.

   • The gesture is so popular that it made multiple appearances in Love Island season 7, with contestants like Huda Mustafa and Olandria Carthen using it in confessional scenes.
   • To do the gesture, make a fist, then stretch your index finger and thumb out. Tap them together multiple times, like you’re clapping. Do this gesture while saying “clock it” to emphasize the phrase.
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Section 5 of 5:

Other TikTok Slang

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1. 1
   Standing on Business “Standing on business” means you take care of your business, work hard, handle your responsibilities, and follow through with your personal goals. When you stand on business, you consistently hit your goals and show up in whatever ways you can. People who stand on business are willing to do whatever it takes to hit their goals and take care of their commitments.

   • TikTok Example: On July 19, 2025, @uwantaqua posted a TikTok standing on a stack of books and dumbbells with the caption “standing on business aka my Kaplan MCAT books so I can get into medical school in case this TikTok thing doesn’t work out 💅🏽”
   • TikTok Example: On July 16, 2025, @_gabriellamariie posted a TikTok with the caption “Standing on business is so fun because you thought I was playing and I’m NOT 😭”
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   Understood the Assignment On TikTok, “understood the assignment” is used to give others praise for doing something extremely well. For example, if someone gets a good outfit off and you like how they look, you can approach them and say something like “You understood the assignment. Your outfit ate down!”

   • TikTok Example: On October 27, 2024, @ayllahijjawi posted a TikTok of a friend taking a picture of her kissing someone, with the caption “that one friend who just understood the assignment.”
   • TikTok Example: On June 17, 2025, @memories.by.liz posted a TikTok of a groom and his groomsmen looking clean in their suits, captioning it “When all your groomsmen understood the assignment.”
3. 3
   Tuff The slang term “tuff” refers to something that’s cool, dope, or exciting. It is typically reserved for more masculine things, like a clip of a soccer player megging someone, or an NBA star dunking on someone. However, it can be used to describe anything you find cool or exciting. You’ll usually find this one in TikTok comments of basketball or anime edits.

   • TikTok Example: On August 9, 2025, @zenoxverse posted a TikTok edit of various superheroes flying, running, and swinging in various situations, captioning it, “They all tuff.”
   • TikTok Example: On August 3, 2025, @jensen1104 posted a TikTok skit of someone joking about the name “Robin DaBank” with laser eyes and flame transitions, captioning it “We used to think this was tuff in 2020.”
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   Chopped “Chopped” is a popular TikTok slang term that’s used to describe something or someone who’s ugly, unattractive, or undesirable. If you’re scrolling through your For You Page and come across someone talking about how they’re chopped, they’re calling themselves ugly. The term can be used in a funny, playful way, depending on the context.

   • For example, if you’re reflecting on your age and changing looks, you can joke around by saying something like “just found out I’m chopped, and also unc.”
   • TikTok Example: On July 14, 2025, @rileyhardwick posted a TikTok talking about how he “just found out I’m chopped, and also unc” after chaperoning a prom.
   • TikTok Example: On July 25, 2025, @abigailmarston_ posted a TikTok compilation of various people crying and looking defeated, captioning it “Me cause why am i GENUINELY so chopped 💔”
     • Although the memes tend to be funny, this TikTok is a reminder that they do have an impact on how people feel and perceive themselves.
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