Against The Clock Meaning, Example, Synonyms

Against The Clock, Meaning you work as quickly as you can to complete it before the deadline. When you work against the clock, people rush through the task at hand to complete it before the deadline. When people act while the clock is ticking, the time it takes them to complete it is recorded to determine who or which effort is the fastest.

This idiom, which dates back to the middle of the 20th century, describes several measured sports in which competitors are timed individually rather than competing against one another.

Usage With Example

Given below are a few examples of the idiom:

• The group was racing against the clock to complete the job.
• She was attempting to finish her preparations against the clock for her tests the following week.
• Instead of waiting and then working against the clock to make the deadline, we should start doing this as soon as possible.
• The event’s planners were working against the clock to set up the event on time after heavy rains forced them to alter their plans.
• To complete his presentation in time for the approaching conference, he was racing against the clock.

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Synonyms or Similar Words

A few synonyms of the idiom are:

• against time
• counterclockwise
• anti-clockwise
• speedily
• fast
• hastily
• quickly
• expeditiously
• hurriedly
• in haste
• rapidly
• swiftly
• as fast as possible
• in a hurry
• at full tilt
• in a great hurry
• in a race against time
• in a race with a time
• in a time-restricted manner

Also Read: Useful Idioms with Examples, Sentences and Meanings

Meaning Quiz

He was working against the clock but 

• managed to finish it before time.
• Couldn’t.
• It was not good

Answer: managed to finish it before time.

Also Read: Idioms for IELTS

This was all about the idiom Against The Clock Meaning. Hope you understood the concept where it’s used and what sort of feeling or meaning it conveys. For more such blogs, follow Leverage Edu.