əˈɡenst ðə klɑk
Time
neutral
beginner
- Literally:
- Racing or competing with time as measured by a clock
What does "against the clock" mean?
- Working with very little time available
- In a great hurry to meet a deadline
Examples
- We're working against the clock to finish the project by Friday.
- The rescue team raced against the clock to find survivors.
- With the deadline tomorrow, it's a race against the clock.
Origin
Originated from racing sports where competitors are timed by a clock rather than racing against each other. First used in the early 20th century and became common in everyday speech to describe deadline pressure.
How to use it
Very common in work and emergency contexts. Often used with 'race' or 'work' to emphasize urgency.
Similar expressions
race against time
under time pressure
time is running out
Opposites
plenty of time
no rush
Related idioms
- in the long run
Over a long period of time
- better late than never
It's better to do something late than not to do it at all
- from time to time
occasionally, not regularly
- in the nick of time
Just in time; at the last possible moment
- run out of time
to have no more time left to do something
- time flies when you're having fun
Enjoyable moments seem to pass quickly
Use it in a practice answer
Try "against the clock" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.