a race against time
idiomatic phrase
variants
or a race against the clock
: a situation in which something must happen or be done quickly because little time is available
Divers pulling the 12 boys and their soccer coach from the cave were in a race against time, with the threat of rains making an already difficult rescue even more urgent.—
Richard C. Paddock and Muktita Suhartono
Richard C. Paddock and Muktita Suhartono… as everyone argued back and forth about whether to enter arbitration …, the issue of time came up. For some in the group, this was a race against the clock due to their illnesses and the need for medical treatment.—Steven Allen Bruce
Steven Allen BruceExamples of a race against time in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The next two hours would be a race against time and Mother Nature as conditions on the lake rapidly deteriorated, faster than many locals and longtime mariners had ever seen.
—Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025
But as Max Hastings’ trial approaches, Connor’s brother Jamie suddenly disappears and Pip finds herself in a race against time to find him.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 14 July 2025
But Dumont’s motives are not just financial: Taylor is her estranged father and suffers from Lewy body dementia, which makes getting to the truth a race against time.
—Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025
In a race against time, staff swiftly moved pets, ensuring each kennel was accurately tagged with identification.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for a race against time
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Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025
But as Max Hastings’ trial approaches, Connor’s brother Jamie suddenly disappears and Pip finds herself in a race against time to find him.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 14 July 2025
But Dumont’s motives are not just financial: Taylor is her estranged father and suffers from Lewy body dementia, which makes getting to the truth a race against time.
—Paula L. Woods, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2025
In a race against time, staff swiftly moved pets, ensuring each kennel was accurately tagged with identification.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for a race against time
Cite this Entry
“A race against time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20race%20against%20time. Accessed 9 Aug. 2025.
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