every minute counts

Idioms  

1. Also, every moment counts. Time is of the essence. For example, Hurry up with those tools—every minute counts, or In performing surgery every moment counts. This idiom uses count in the sense of “to enter into the reckoning” (and hence be important).

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Example Sentences

You’re on vacation, every minute counts, right?

From Salon

"For people in stroke, every minute counts if lives are to be saved and disability reduced or prevented," Miles said, adding "around two million brain cells are lost" for each minute that passes.

From BBC

"We're told that every minute counts when it comes to serious fire incidents so what does this mean in terms of threat to life, serious injury and indeed property?" said Jonathan Buckley.

From BBC

But Ian Wightman is already out on the water, because over the next 12 hours, every minute counts.

From BBC

“Every minute counts. Please evacuate to a safe area immediately,” he said.

From Seattle Times