Beat the clock

[0412] Race against time

🎲 Saved by the bell
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • A situation where there is extreme pressure to finish something very quickly because of a strict deadline or impending negative consequence.

Origin

  • Creates a vivid metaphor of literally racing against 'Time' as an opponent. Time is continuously moving forward, and one must act faster than its progression to succeed.
  • Evokes urgency and high stakes.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Working against the clock
  • Under the gun
  • Down to the wire (Focuses on the very end)
  • Fighting the clock
  • Facing a tight deadline (Less dramatic)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Hauling ass (Working very fast, crude)
  • Working like crazy
  • Under the gun
  • Up against it (Facing difficulty/pressure)

Vulgar/Emphatic:

  • A fucking race against time

Milder:

  • Working quickly
  • Facing a tight deadline
  • Under pressure to finish
  • Time is critical / Time is of the essence (More formal)

Situational Appropriateness

  • Appropriate in both informal and formal contexts when describing genuinely urgent or high-pressure situations.
  • Common in news reporting, emergency contexts, and project management under pressure.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • The metaphorical nature (racing 'time') is usually clear from the high-stakes context.

Examples

  • Rescuers are in a race against time to find survivors in the collapsed building.
  • It was a race against time to finish harvesting the crops before the frost hit.
  • With only an hour before the presentation, preparing the slides became a race against time.

Dialogue

News Anchor 1: Firefighters are currently battling a major wildfire spreading towards the town.

News Anchor 2: Indeed, officials say it's a desperate race against time to evacuate residents before the flames reach their homes.

News Anchor 1: We hope everyone gets out safely.

Social Media Examples

  • Tweet: Heartbreaking news from the disaster zone. Rescuers are in a heroic race against time. Sending prayers. 🙏 #Emergency #Rescue
  • News Headline: Climate Summit: A Race Against Time to Reach Agreement
  • Instagram Post: (Photo of a storm approaching a farm) A real race against time to get the animals inside before the storm hits. #farmlife #weather

Response Patterns

  • Expressing concern: Oh no, that sounds serious/stressful.
  • Asking for updates: How is it going?, Will they make it?
  • Offering support (if applicable): What can I do to help?
  • Expressing hope: I hope they succeed.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After hearing about a race against time:

  • Focus is usually on the outcome: Did they manage it?, What happened in the end?
  • Discussion of the challenges and pressures involved.
  • Expressing sympathy or hope for those involved.

Conversation Starter

  • No. Describes an existing urgent situation.

Intonation

  • Conveys urgency, tension, and high stakes.
  • Stress typically on RACE and TIME. It's a RACE against TIME.

Generation Differences

  • Widely understood and used across all generations.

Regional Variations

  • Universal in English.
Beat the clock
🎲 Saved by the bell