Have you ever found yourself needing to express that something happens without regard for the time of day? Maybe a friend is always available, or perhaps a certain shop seems to be open no matter when you pass by. In English, we have a wonderfully flexible phrase for this: 'at all hours.'
It’s not about a specific time on the clock, but rather a lack of temporal constraint. Think of it as a way to say 'anytime,' but with a slightly more emphatic, sometimes even a touch of exasperation or wonder, depending on the context. The reference material points out that 'at all hours' can mean 'at irregular times, especially late at night.' This captures that feeling of unpredictability, that something is happening outside the usual schedule.
Imagine a musician who’s always working on their craft, or a dedicated baker who’s up before dawn. They might be described as working 'at all hours.' It suggests a commitment that transcends the typical 9-to-5. It’s about dedication, passion, or sometimes, just the nature of a particular service or situation.
We see this sentiment echoed in song lyrics, like in 'Amor De Colegio.' The singer declares, 'Yo mataria por ti... A cualquier hora,' which translates to 'I would kill for you... at any hour.' Here, 'a cualquier hora' directly corresponds to our English 'at all hours,' emphasizing an unwavering devotion that knows no time limits.
Similarly, the Cambridge Dictionary defines 'anytime' as 'at a time that is not decided or agreed.' While 'anytime' is a broader term, 'at all hours' often carries a connotation of being consistently available or active, even if those times are varied and perhaps inconvenient for others. It’s less about a single, flexible moment and more about a continuous state of being available or operational.
So, the next time you need to convey that something is happening without a strict schedule, whether it’s a late-night emergency call or a shop that seems to defy closing times, remember 'at all hours.' It’s a phrase that adds a touch of human rhythm and real-life unpredictability to our language.
