Against the clock
idiom
Doing something as fast as possible to finish before a certain time.
The athletes were running against the clock to finish the marathon before sunset.
Often appears as...
- running against the clock
- working against the clock
Usage tips
Colloquial
idiom
Doing a task quickly because time is limited.
The staff was working against the clock to prepare for the event.
Often appears as...
- working against the clock
- fighting against the clock
Usage tips
Idiomatic
idiom
Doing something as fast as possible to finish before a certain time.
The athletes were running against the clock to finish the marathon before sunset.
Often appears as...
- running against the clock
- working against the clock
Usage tips
Colloquial
idiom
Doing a task quickly because time is limited.
The staff was working against the clock to prepare for the event.
Often appears as...
- working against the clock
- fighting against the clock
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Urgency Emphasis
Used to highlight urgency when time is a critical factor in completing a task.
With the deadline approaching, we were against the clock to finalize the report.
Pro Tip 2/3No Literal Clock
The clock is metaphorical, meaning simply that time is limited, not an actual race against a timepiece.
She was against the clock to finish her essay by midnight.
Pro Tip 3/3High Pressure
The phrase adds a sense of tension or pressure to the situation.
The emergency team worked against the clock to save the injured climbers.
Pro Tip 1/3Urgency Emphasis
Used to highlight urgency when time is a critical factor in completing a task.
With the deadline approaching, we were against the clock to finalize the report.
Pro Tip 2/3No Literal Clock
The clock is metaphorical, meaning simply that time is limited, not an actual race against a timepiece.
She was against the clock to finish her essay by midnight.
Pro Tip 3/3High Pressure
The phrase adds a sense of tension or pressure to the situation.
The emergency team worked against the clock to save the injured climbers.
Pro Tip 1/3Urgency Emphasis
Used to highlight urgency when time is a critical factor in completing a task.
With the deadline approaching, we were against the clock to finalize the report.
Pro Tip 2/3No Literal Clock
The clock is metaphorical, meaning simply that time is limited, not an actual race against a timepiece.
She was against the clock to finish her essay by midnight.
Pro Tip 3/3High Pressure
The phrase adds a sense of tension or pressure to the situation.
The emergency team worked against the clock to save the injured climbers.
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