work against the clock

work against the clock

To try to do something in a very limited amount of time. We'll have to work against the clock to finish our presentation in time for the convention, but I think we'll be able to get it done.
See also: clock, work
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • against the clock
  • against time
  • a race against time
  • be taken up with (someone or something)
  • any time means no time
  • become pushed for time
  • any old time
  • any time
  • anytime
  • about time
References in periodicals archive
The participants will need to work against the clock individually or in groups of up to three people.
2ND EDITION OF ROCA ONE DAY DESIGN CHALLENGE COMES TO SULTANATE
The crew had to work against the clock as there was only one metre of the bank left due to the "rapidly rising tide".
Footage shows woman stretchered from river bank in Chiswick after 7ft fall in cycling accident; Dramatic footage shows the Chiswick Lifeboat crew working against the clock during a "rapidly rising tide"
Once a heart does become available, the surgeons and hospital staff music work against the clock to perform this highly complex operation.
MUST-SEE SHOWS
Once a heart does become available, the surgeons and hospital staff must work against the clock to perform this highly complex operation.
MUST-SEE SHOWS
Consolidation and shipping--Export: Once the order consolidation process begins, DHL associates work against the clock to prepare an outbound shipment in time to deliver it to an airline before the lockout period, after which freight can't be loaded.
Freight in motion: DHL Global Forwarding relies on electric lift trucks, rack and floor storage, and supply chain execution software to efficiently and quickly receive and prepare freight for export around the globe
Howevs, when Zayn announced his departure from the boyband in March publishers had to work against the clock to update the froggy characters.
It's a right ribbiting read, 1D; BOYBAND STAR AS FROGS IN CHARITY KIDS' BOOK
Red Bull are braced for a reality check as they and partners Renault work against the clock to fix the troublesome 1.6 litre V6 hybrid turbo engine and its complicated new energy recovery systems.
All change as Formula One enters new era
After brainstorming ideas across a range of fields, including health, education, film, music, business and science, the future tech titans went to work against the clock.After a few sleepless nights, the teamsthen faced the panel as they presented their final ideas to the competition'sjudgeson Sunday.
Young global tech geniuses descend upon Abu,CeDhabi's annual 'hackathon'
But the fact that they have to work against the clock has left a bitter taste for MEPs.
MULTIANNUAL FINANCIAL FRAMEWORK : SOCIALISTS WANT MORE MONEY TO FIGHT YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT
Sherlock has to work against the clock to navigate the obstacle course devised to encumber the detective in his bid to find the culprit.
What to WATCH
They work against the clock seven days a week to get the edition off to the printers in sufficient time to enable it to be distributed throughout Britain and Ireland for morning consumption.
Understated professional who was much admired by his colleagues
The team of cyclists were one of ten Midlands-based teams at PricewaterhouseCoopers taking part in Challenge 500 - a fund-raising programme in aid of the Prince's Trust, which invites teams of up to six people to work against the clock to raise money.
THRIVE: Prince's Trust benefits from indoor bikers
The children, from schools across Tyne and Wear, gathered at Nissan Sports and Social Club to test their memories, build a pharaoh's tomb, work against the clock to do a jigsaw and then form a mini company.
Enterprising children learn business skills
They work against the clock to get the sports cars loaded onto a car transporter.
Pulling off a heist; The Bill ITV, 8.00pm