"At all hours" is a commonly used phrase in English, meaning at any time of the day or night. The IPA phonetic transcription of this phrase is /æt ɔːl ˈaʊərz/. The 'a' in 'at' is pronounced as short 'a', the 'o' in 'all' is pronounced as long 'o', and the second 'o' in 'hours' is pronounced as short 'o'. The stress falls on the second syllable of 'hours'. This phrase can be used to describe work schedules, medical emergencies, or noisy neighbors, among other situations.
"At all hours" is a colloquial expression that typically refers to the indefinite and incessant nature of an activity or occurrence, indicating that it happens at any time, day or night, without restriction or limitation. It suggests that the event or action under consideration takes place without regard for conventional time frames, and may occur frequently, unexpectedly, or unpredictably throughout the day and night.
This phrase often implies an ongoing, continuous, or relentless nature of a situation or behavior. For instance, if someone says, "He calls me at all hours," it means that the person receives phone calls from the mentioned individual without any time restrictions, implying that they receive calls at any time of day or night. Similarly, if someone claims that a certain business establishment operates "at all hours," it suggests that the business is open 24/7, without closing or having fixed operating hours.
The term "at all hours" can also connote a sense of inconvenience or disruption, as it implies that the activity or event takes place outside of what is considered normal or expected timing. It signifies a departure from the regular routines or societal norms regarding time and scheduling. Overall, "at all hours" signifies an absence of temporal boundaries or restrictions, emphasizing the constant or unrestricted nature of the referenced activity or behavior.