Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Time was ticking and I wasn’t getting any younger or cuter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

Anyone trapped with their head under the surface is likely going to be starved for oxygen, so the clock was ticking.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2026

The sailors were taken into custody, but the clock was ticking: Officials in Canberra had decreed that barring the discovery of evidence that would allow extradition, they could hold the men for only 24 hours.

From Slate • Jul. 22, 2025

Deirdre Hargey told BBC News NI the "clock was ticking".

From BBC • May 23, 2024

The clock was ticking and they had no idea how close the two men were to finding the islet.

From "The Boy Who Met a Whale" by Nizrana Farook