Against the clock

Meaning

The idiom "against the clock" means working or trying to complete something before a deadline, time limit, or before the situation changes. It refers to doing something urgently and with great speed, often under pressure or stress. The phrase can also indicate that someone is opposing or going against the norms of society or a particular organization.

Usage

• I had to finish the project against the clock because my boss was very demanding and wanted it completed by yesterday.
• We were racing against the clock to catch our train, but we didn't make it in time.
• The athlete was running against the clock, trying to beat his personal best time.
• The doctor had to act quickly to save the patient's life, working against the clock.
• The company was under pressure to meet its quarterly earnings target, and they were working against the clock to achieve their goals.

Roots and History

The phrase "against the clock" has been used in English since at least the 16th century. It originally referred to working or moving against the flow of time or in opposition to a timetable or schedule. In contemporary usage, the idiom is more commonly associated with working under pressure or trying to complete something urgently before a deadline.

Synonyms in English

• Under pressure
• With urgency
• Against time
• Hurriedly
• In a race against time

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: Contra el reloj
• French: Contre la montre
• German: Gegen den Uhrzeiger
• Italian: Contro il tempo
• Japanese: 時間を疲れません (shijan wo ureshimasen)

Similar Idioms

• apple of discord

• a blessing in disguise

• a good man is hard to find