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

… 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

Examples of a race against time in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But as Max Hastings’ trial approaches, key witness Jamie Reynolds suddenly disappears and Pip finds herself in a race against time to find him and struggling with the idea of justice. —Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Nov. 2024

But as Max Hastings’ trial approaches, key witness Jamie Reynolds suddenly disappears and Pip finds herself in a race against time to find him. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 20 Nov. 2024

But as Max Hastings' trial approaches, key witness Jamie Reynolds suddenly disappears and Pip finds herself in a race against time to find him. —Marc Berman, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024

With mere months until President-elect Trump's inauguration, Biden administration officials are in a race against time to safeguard their goals and achievements. —Ivana Saric, Axios, 18 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1814, in the meaning defined above