graveyard shift

noun

1. a work shift usually beginning at about midnight and continuing for about eight hours through the early morning hours.
2. those who work this shift.

graveyard shift

noun

1. the working shift between midnight and morning

Word History and Origins

Origin of graveyard shift¹

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

Example Sentences

She and her fiance work the graveyard shift at Amazon, but they went two weeks without pay after the fire displaced them, and have been jumping from motel to motel.

From Los Angeles Times

He was working graveyard shifts in hospitality while trying to find acting work, and was rejected when he first auditioned for Hamilton.

From BBC

The company cancelled the graveyard shift and evacuated most staff out of an “abundance of caution.”

From Seattle Times

Then he took a job working the graveyard shift as a truck driver at the port.

From Los Angeles Times

A 28-year department veteran, Fortney worked the graveyard shift as a patrol sergeant and served as president of the Deputy Sheriff’s Association before ascending to sheriff.

From Seattle Times