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
… 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

Examples of a race against time in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The club face a race against time to register €60million ($62m; £49m at current exchange rates) summer signing Dani Olmo and fellow recent arrival Pau Victor under La Liga rules before the end of the month. Pol Ballús, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024 But following that trail of evidence is also a race against time. Raja Razek, CNN, 16 Dec. 2024 From reestablishing facilities to securing suppliers, the process has been a race against time. Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024 But with the killer inching ever closer to home, Jeanette and the team are in a race against time to untangle the web of secrets. Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for a race against time 

Word History

First Known Use

1814, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of a race against time was in 1814

Dictionary Entries Near 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 2 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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