against the clock

against the clock

In a very limited amount of time; with a shortage of time being the main problem. We left later than we were supposed to, so it was a race against the clock to get to the airport on time.
See also: clock
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

against the clock

Fig. in a race with time; in a great hurry to get something done before a particular time. In a race against the clock, they rushed the accident victim to the hospital.
See also: clock
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

against the clock

Also, against time. In a great hurry, as fast as possible, as in With her term paper due on Monday, she was racing against the clock to finish it, or They were working against time to stay on schedule. The term comes from various sports in which the contestants do not directly compete against each other but instead are timed individually, the winner being the one who is fastest. Its figurative use dates from the mid-1900s.
See also: clock
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • against time
  • a race against time
  • become pushed for time
  • be taken up with (someone or something)
  • any time means no time
  • any time
  • (it's) time to run
  • anytime
  • (it's) time to push along
  • (it's) (a)bout time
References in periodicals archive
Race against the clock over a 5km or 8km stretch of beach in the first of what will be a monthly time trial.
"We are running against the clock," because with the winterization efforts under way and the deficit resources, "we simply don't have the funds," the official said, adding that OCHA is appealing again to the international community to realize that absent a political solution to the crisis, "there is obviously devastating human consequence -loss of life and injury -- as well as humanitarian consequences.
In Natal, Valcke said it was a "race against the clock" after his trip to the Arena das Dunas found it was well behind schedule.
His second win came in the 1m35 Against the Clock competition, producing a fast clear round aboard Michael Whitaker's chestnut mare Bonita Z.
Come September 17 the eyes of the world will be on Knowsley to see the world's top cyclists going head-to-head against the clock, on what will be a very fast route for Stage Three.
18, 2010 (TAP) - Tunisia's cyclist Rafaa Chtioui won a gold medal this morning at the race against the clock held in the south-eastern suburb of El Mourouj, as part of day 4 of the Arab cycling championships held here up to next October 21.
Summary: With India racing against the clock to save the Commonwealth Games, top organisers have admitted more work is needed..
Teams worked against the clock to create a fountain that would outperform all others.
Feature is the pounds 600 final of the Roy Barker Trophy over 590m (9.40) in which it might pay to go against the clock and side with slowest heat winner Westmead Class, who has a potential advantage by being drawn in one even if he is not the closest of railers.
Teams of volunteers battled against the clock in an attempt to clear the water and rescue Sunday for the expected capacity crowd but by Saturday afternoon they had to admit defeat
MORE than BD20,000 was raised for local charities at the 13th Against The Clock (ATC) tournament held yesterday.
Jonny Cawley, another good man against the clock, is timekeeping the event for his club, so is out of the reckoning.
Race against the clock to write down as many words from specified categories that start with a random letter based on the roll of a die.
"When I ran against the clock my time was never as good as when I had somebody running next to me.
"It was a race against the clock and the result saves the owner from losing millions of dollars," said Mandl.