The Rice University Neologisms Database

To intentionally deplete a resource, such as time, money, or service. Apparent Meaning: To intentionally consume or deplete a resource. In this case, the resource is time remaining as indicated by the clock in a football game. Possible Reason Used: The verb MILK, which typically refers to the act of drawing milk from the teat or udder of a female mammal, is used metaphorically. The metaphorical interpretation suggests the deliberate draining or consumption of a particular resource (time, money, service, etc.), just as milk is drained or consumed from a female mammal. The term was used in reference to the resource of time remaining on the game clock. Since the chosen team was leading in scoring points in the game, depleting the time left on the game clock would result in the chosen team’s victory. The term may have been used to concisely convey the idea of intentionally allowing time on the clock to pass. The term has also been used in business or legal context, in which money is the resource that is intentionally “drained” or “milked” from a company.