beat the clock

beat the clock

To take action or finish a task before a deadline. We have to get these pages to the printer by 8, so work faster, people—we've got to beat the clock! Somehow, they were able to beat the clock and get to their seats before the bride walked down the aisle.
See also: beat, clock
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

beat the clock

Fig. to do something before a deadline; to finish before the time is up. (Alludes to accomplishing something before a clock reaches a specific time.) Sam beat the clock, arriving a few minutes before the doors were locked. They were afraid they would be late and hurried in order to beat the clock.
See also: beat, clock
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

beat the clock

Finish something or succeed before time is up, as in The paper went to press at five o'clock, and they hurried to beat the clock. The term comes from various sports or races in which contestants compete within a certain time limit.
See also: beat, clock
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

beat the clock

perform a task quickly or within a fixed time limit.
See also: beat, clock
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

beat the ˈclock

finish a task, race, etc. before a particular time
See also: beat, clock
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • under the gun
  • punch a/the clock
  • punch the clock
  • clock out
  • clock in
  • clean (one's) clock
  • clean clock
  • clean someone's clock
  • by means of
  • by means of something
References in periodicals archive
Beat The Clock 9-5, Black Smoke 8-6, Pari 8-5, Dhannak 7-12, Royal Salute 7-10, Turbo Jet 7-6.
Dancing Daughter set to make debut at KRC today
Chairing a fortnightly meeting to review the performance of NAB's operation, prosecution and all regional bureaus at NAB Headquarters, Chairman NAB said that NAB is the only organization which has prescribed a maximum time limit of 10 months for expeditious disposal of mega corruption white collar crime cases which is a challenging task but we are committed to beat the clock by putting hard work and ensuring corruption free Pakistan as per law.
NAB Chairman vows redoubling efforts for mega corruption cases disposal
Can conductor Scott Uddenberg beat the clock to prepare the work in less than 3 hours?
A Event for Singers and Friends on August 25: Microwave Masterpieces
Contractors working for gas network Cadent beat the clock to get Mardol Head open for Saturday's event.
Work put on hold for carnival parade; UTILITIES
Characters who beat the clock Five heroes and heroines who used time travel >>Dr Who Time is no obstacle for TV's popular Time Lord thanks to her Tardis.
Characters who beat the clock [...]
Lahore -- PTI nominee for the slot of Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar Saturday vowed to beat the clock for brining much-anticipated change in the province.
Usman Buzdar vows to bring change in Punjab in real sense
LAHORE -- Punjab Chief Minister's (CM) nominee Usman Buzdar on Saturday vowed to beat the clock for brining much-anticipated change in the province.
Not months, will bring the change in days, vows Usman Buzdar
Defending champions Boeung Ket beat the clock to see off rivals NagaWorld 3-2 following a controversial penalty on the stroke of regulation time to reclaim top spot in the standings at the end of the first phase of the Metfone C-League season Stadium on Sunday evening.
Boeung Ket take spoils at the death
Strict form students will argue he is 5lb worse off with stablemate Beat The Clock after dead-heating for second with that rival in the Group 1 Centenary Sprint here in January.
Mr Stunning can live up to his name
President Trump is expected to announce tariffs on China, while a $1.3 tln spending bill is on Capitol Hill as legislators try to beat the clock before the Friday midnight deadline for another government shutdown.
Treasury Action: yields are sharply lower as equity losses deepen
More than half of Britain was watching the show at its height and Bruce's early talent as a game show host were evident in the popular Beat The Clock segment when members of the audiences were invited to compete for prizes.
Didn't he do well? MARION MCMULLEN looks at the life of showbiz legend Sir Bruce Forsyth who would have turned 90 this month
Bruce hosts Beat the Clock E was born Bruce Joseph Forsyth-Johnson and was also born an entertainer.
Didn't he do well? MARION MCMULLEN looks at the life of showbiz legend Sir Bruce Forsyth who would have turned 90 this month
They switched to new wave in 1979 with No14 hit The Number One Song in Heaven and No10 hit Beat the Clock - both produced by Giorgio Moroder.
SPARKS WILL FLY IN SCOTLAND AGAIN
There are three game modes: Beat the Clock, Target Tally, and Relay Race.
MOVE FAST WHEN THE COLORS FLASH
They must beat the clock in order for Christmas to be back on track.
Kurt Russell will play Santa Claus in new movie for Netflix