Business English vocabulary · Deadlines and Scheduling

Against the clock

Meaning in business english, with examples

idiomCommon term

In business english, against the clock means: Under pressure to finish before the available time runs out.

In Turkish: zamana karşı

How it is used

Used for urgent work with limited time. Name the deadline or pressure when possible so the phrase adds concrete context rather than drama alone.

Example sentences

  1. The team worked against the clock to correct the figures before the board meeting began.

    The meeting start creates the time limit for the correction work.

  2. We are racing against the clock because the courier collects the signed documents in twenty minutes.

    A scheduled collection makes the remaining preparation time particularly short.

Common collocations

  • work against the clock
  • race against the clock

More terms: Deadlines and Scheduling

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