A race against time/the clock
phrase
To do something as fast as you can to finish it before a certain deadline.
With the deadline looming, finishing the project became a race against the clock.
Often appears as...
- in a race against time
- win the race against time
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To try to prevent something bad from happening by acting quickly.
Emergency workers are in a race against time to rescue people trapped in the collapsed building.
Often appears as...
- emergency race against time
- rescue race against time
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To do something as fast as you can to finish it before a certain deadline.
With the deadline looming, finishing the project became a race against the clock.
Often appears as...
- in a race against time
- win the race against time
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To try to prevent something bad from happening by acting quickly.
Emergency workers are in a race against time to rescue people trapped in the collapsed building.
Often appears as...
- emergency race against time
- rescue race against time
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Deadline Driven
Usually involves work or goals needing fast completion before a set deadline.
Their team was in a race against the clock to submit the proposal on time.
Pro Tip 2/3High Stakes
Emphasizes the critical importance or consequences of the time-limited situation.
Launching the product was a race against time due to the Christmas shopping season.
Pro Tip 3/3Intense Focus
Indicates a situation where all attention is concentrated on meeting a deadline.
Writing the exam was a race against the clock, with no minute to waste.
Pro Tip 1/3Deadline Driven
Usually involves work or goals needing fast completion before a set deadline.
Their team was in a race against the clock to submit the proposal on time.
Pro Tip 2/3High Stakes
Emphasizes the critical importance or consequences of the time-limited situation.
Launching the product was a race against time due to the Christmas shopping season.
Pro Tip 3/3Intense Focus
Indicates a situation where all attention is concentrated on meeting a deadline.
Writing the exam was a race against the clock, with no minute to waste.
Pro Tip 1/3Deadline Driven
Usually involves work or goals needing fast completion before a set deadline.
Their team was in a race against the clock to submit the proposal on time.
Pro Tip 2/3High Stakes
Emphasizes the critical importance or consequences of the time-limited situation.
Launching the product was a race against time due to the Christmas shopping season.
Pro Tip 3/3Intense Focus
Indicates a situation where all attention is concentrated on meeting a deadline.
Writing the exam was a race against the clock, with no minute to waste.
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