From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishclockworkclock‧work /ˈklɒk-wɜːk $ ˈklɑːk-wɜːrk/ noun [uncountable] 1 TP British English clockwork toys, trains, soldiers etc have machinery inside them that makes them move when you turn a key mechanical toys powered by clockwork The tape was driven by a clockwork motor.2 → go/run like clockwork3 → like clockwork4 → with clockwork precision/accuracy
Examples from the Corpus
clockwork• Every time they do it, it comes off like clockwork.• Like clockwork the three nurses and I followed along with the male radio voice and did a ten-minute exercise routine.• Many beginners start to practise their forms in a kind of clockwork, robotic manner.• He clicked the lever, and the clockwork motor whirred.• You don't have to play these cat and mouse games with your clockwork soldiers. 