beat the clock
idiom
: to do or finish something quickly before a particular time
In a desperate attempt to beat the clock, I raced to mail my tax return before midnight.
Examples of beat the clock in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Even as workers at Cape Canaveral frantically tried to beat the clock, more work had to happen at the Johnson Space Center in Houston: Atlantis still needed a crew.
—
Lee Hutchinson, Ars Technica, 1 Feb. 2023
For this summery supper, grill steak, corn, and peppers simultaneously to beat the clock.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Dec. 2023
Start with a 30-second warmup, then try to beat the clock by finishing all those reps. Perform each movement for 10 reps, then 9, then 8, all the way down to 1 rep, alternating between exercises.
—Brett Williams, Men's Health, 8 June 2023
The Houston Texans beat the clock on Thursday night to add Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. as the third selection in the 88th NFL Draft.
—Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 26 Jan. 2023
See all Example Sentences for beat the clock 
Lee Hutchinson, Ars Technica, 1 Feb. 2023
For this summery supper, grill steak, corn, and peppers simultaneously to beat the clock.
—Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Dec. 2023
Start with a 30-second warmup, then try to beat the clock by finishing all those reps. Perform each movement for 10 reps, then 9, then 8, all the way down to 1 rep, alternating between exercises.
—Brett Williams, Men's Health, 8 June 2023
The Houston Texans beat the clock on Thursday night to add Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. as the third selection in the 88th NFL Draft.
—Mark Inabinett | Minabinett@al.com, al, 26 Jan. 2023
See all Example Sentences for beat the clock
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'beat the clock.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near beat the clock
Cite this Entry
“Beat the clock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beat%20the%20clock. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share