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
Treatment to clear the blood of its grip is also a race against time.
—New Atlas, 13 Aug. 2025
But for supporters of Lai, the campaign to free him is a race against time.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2025
Experience tells us that these things tend to go right down to the line, with players not yet registered when the new La Liga season starts (Barcelona kick off at Mallorca on August 16), and then a race against time for a solution before the transfer window ends on Monday, September 1.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 22 July 2025
The search for a cure for these rare disorders is a race against time, because researchers think treatment will be most effective if administered when patients are children.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 18 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for a race against time
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New Atlas, 13 Aug. 2025
But for supporters of Lai, the campaign to free him is a race against time.
—Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2025
Experience tells us that these things tend to go right down to the line, with players not yet registered when the new La Liga season starts (Barcelona kick off at Mallorca on August 16), and then a race against time for a solution before the transfer window ends on Monday, September 1.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 22 July 2025
The search for a cure for these rare disorders is a race against time, because researchers think treatment will be most effective if administered when patients are children.
—Evan Bush, NBC News, 18 Feb. 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 22 Aug. 2025.
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