by-the-hour
by-the-hour — collocation
1. used to show that payment, rental, or use is counted separately for every hour i
used to show that payment, rental, or use is counted separately for every hour instead of as one total price
Ryo hired a study room by-the-hour for his Sunday speaking practice.
hire something by-the-hour for short use
The babysitter is paid by-the-hour, so midnight pickups cost more.
be paid by-the-hour for hourly wages
Kemi prefers by-the-hour billing when clients need short meetings.
We booked the rehearsal space by-the-hour for the school concert.
- charge by-the-hour
- pay by-the-hour
- by-the-hour billing
- by-the-hour rental
- hourly
is the common single-word alternative for pay, rates, or charges
- on an hourly basis
is a longer and more formal wording often used in contracts
- flat-rate
describes one fixed price instead of an amount that rises each hour
Grammar Patterns
pay someone by-the-hour
charge by-the-hour
book something by-the-hour
Usage Note
Most often follows verbs such as charge, pay, rent, or book, and it names an hourly rate rather than a fixed total. Distinguish it from sense 2, which describes a situation growing stronger with each passing hour.
2. used when something keeps getting stronger, worse, or more noticeable as one hou
used when something keeps getting stronger, worse, or more noticeable as one hour follows another
With no rain in sight, the heat felt worse by-the-hour.
comparative + by-the-hour for worsening conditions
As the match drew closer, the crowd grew louder by-the-hour.
grow + comparative + by-the-hour
After the ceiling leak started, the brown stain spread by-the-hour.
The waiting room became tenser by-the-hour as test results were delayed.
- worse by-the-hour
- louder by-the-hour
- tenser by-the-hour
- spread by-the-hour
- hour by hour
is close in meaning but is a broader time phrase and can sound more neutral
- progressively
is more formal and does not stress the repeated hourly rhythm as clearly
Grammar Patterns
grow louder by-the-hour
feel worse by-the-hour
become tenser by-the-hour
Usage Note
Usually comes after comparatives such as worse, louder, or tenser. Distinguish it from sense 1, which is about hourly payment or pricing rather than ongoing change.