And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.

On this program we explore words and expressions in the English language.

We give you examples and sometimes notes on usage.

Today we talk about expressions related to keeping on time.

To help us plan our time, we use tools - namely clocks and watches.

If something happens at the exact same time every day it is predictable.

When an event is very regular, we can say we could "set our watch by it." And that is our first expression – to set your watch by something.

You might hear someone using it like this: Regina leaves her house to go to work every weekday at exactly 7a. m - never a minute earlier or later.

You can set your watch by it.

In this example, you could say that Regina is a "creature of habit." This means she sticks to her plan no matter what happens.