the rat race

rat race

1. A fierce competition for success, wealth, or power. The company's environment felt like a rat race—employees were constantly sabotaging each other to climb the corporate ladder.
2. A busy, tiring routine. Cathy was tired of the rat race and knew she needed to get a less stressful job.
See also: race, rat
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

the rat race

COMMON The rat race is a job or way of life in which people compete aggressively with each other in order to be successful and there is no time to relax or enjoy yourself. I had to get out of the rat race for a while and think about what was important in life. Do you ever fantasize about leaving the rat race behind?
See also: race, rat
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

the ˈrat race

(disapproving) intense competition for success in jobs, business, etc., typical of a big city: Paul got caught up in the rat race and was never at home. They longed to escape from the rat race and move out of the city.
See also: race, rat
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • rat race
  • rat race, a
  • sewer rat
  • like a drowned rat
  • every man is his own worst enemy
  • claw (one's) way to the top
  • claw way to the top
  • (one's) own worst enemy
  • your own worst enemy
  • one's own worst enemy
References in periodicals archive
No - too hot" Actor Nigel Havers "The trouble with the rat race is that even if you win, you are still a rat" Actress Lily Tomlin "I have decided to take a break from all things social media.
QUOTES OF THE DAY
Goodness knows how long the rat race (the rather limp pun intended) has managed to survive against fearful odds.
Survival is the name of the game
The Rat Race was organised by Rat Race Events in partnership with Stockton Council.
Rat Race makes way for car event
In 2017, 10,000 people a day around the globe made the decision to quit the rat race and retire.
Retire in style and enjoy the freedom
Understanding the concept and learning it creatively has lost tragically to our education system, and the reason behind it is the rat race. I want to suggest every school to take an initiative to arrange three hours of activity class every week for students.
Skill-based learning
Visitors will be invited to sit at the desk and be part of the Rat Race photograph.
A video has been made, also gets showcased. The Opening doors to the future
Returning for the fourth successive year, up to 1,000 runners are expected to take part in the Rat Race Adventure Sports event on the weekend of June 20 and 21, over a mixture of off-road and on-road terrain.
North East fitness fanatics invited to sign up for 69-mile ultramarathon, The Wall; Route takes hardy runners along the route of Hadrian's Wall, from Carlisle Castle to the Newcastle Gateshead Quayside
"I absolutely fell in love with this, watching the rat race growing up.
Venerable River Rat Race delights crowd
"It is because of the rat race between five clubs that we have to win, we have to be there," the United manager said.
Van Gaal wants to get out of Premier 'rat race'
CHOICE Ben Fogle: New Lives in the Wild Channel 5, 9pm The return of the programme in which Ben Fogle meets people who have moved to inhospitable parts of the world after leaving the rat race behind.
FRIDAY'S TV 21.11.14
Employees of Speedy Services, in Newton-le-Willows, went through fire, mud and freezing water in the Rat Race Dirty Weekend in Burghley.
TEAM TAKES ON CHARITY CHALLENGE
More people giving up the rat race and livin' the dream in the most hidden location.
choice
The Rat Race spokesman said: "After that brutal assault on your legs there are plenty more challenges to come before you earn your medal, including an abseil.
MAN VERSUS A MOUNTAIN; Race starts in castle and finishes up Snowdon
No doubt, the barbers are also participating in the rat race for gathering maximum profits prior to the Eid festival.
Opportunist barbers exploit citizens
SAS-STYLE weekend breaks are the latest must-have presents for stressed-out Welsh executives struggling to survive the rat race. They are proving so popular there is a six-month waiting list for the back-to-nature experience.
Stressed execs get mild in the country