beat the clock
IdiomsExample Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
We’re all familiar with workplace efficiency, where every task must beat the clock and “skill and creativity” are reduced to “repetitive, monotonous tasks, without the beautiful compensation of singing along.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 17, 2026
“This premise that there was an intent to beat the clock is ridiculous,” Inglewood Mayor James Butts said at the time.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 25, 2025
Down by two with 0.6 seconds left, Eason just sort of sidearm-heaved a pass about 40 feet to Smith, who turned and beat the clock with a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 7, 2023
Disease detectives are trying desperately to beat the clock and find those who have been exposed to the virus.
From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2020
I used to break out in a sweat trying to beat the clock.
From "The Secret Life of Bees" by Sue Monk Kidd
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
