WordLens

against the clock

1 of 1phrase
/əˈɡɛnst ðə klɑk/
1

as quickly as one possibly can because there is not much time available

The idiom "against the clock" originated from the world of sports, specifically from track and field events. In these events, athletes compete to achieve the fastest time or set a new record. The phrase "against the clock" refers to the idea of competing against time itself, as the clock measures and records the duration of the performance. It is commonly used in professional settings such as project management, business, and emergency situations, where deadlines play a crucial role.

  • We are working against the clock to finish the project before the deadline.
  • They raced against the clock and completed the task just in time.
  • She will be working against the clock to meet the upcoming deadline.
  • Why are you still here?We're racing against the clock to get this report done.
  • They were working against the clock all night to fix the technical issues.
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