【mark the time】 —

1. (of the clock) show time:

• In the days when no clock marked the time, “cock-crowing” became a familiar phrase, as today, when referring to the earliest hour of dawn.

2. record or indicate specific time:

• As the two girls entered the hall they saw that the tall clock marked the time as quarterpast five.

3. indicate a period:

• The tower of Babel marked the time when mankind became separated and developed different languages that effectively managed to divide them.

4. (also: beat the time) follow the rhythm with the feet, a baton, etc.:

• She has a carving fork in her hand, with which she pounds on the table to 【mark the time】 .

【mark time】 —

1. = 【mark the time】 1:

• The city contains many essential sights, such as the Sapporo City Clock, which has been marking time for over a century.

2. = 【mark the time】 4:

• Some of them were singing, some clapping their hands as they marked time to the tune which one lone fiddle squeaked out gaily.

3. be idle, waiting for smth. to happen:

• He has been marking time for over a month now as he waits to hear about the new job.