Beat the clock - Meaning, Origin, and Examples

Meaning: To accomplish a task or complete something before a deadline or within a limited amount of time. It often implies working quickly and efficiently to avoid being late.

Origin: The idiom 'beat the clock' originated from the world of sports, particularly in racing and games where players aim to finish their tasks or reach goals before the time runs out. Over time, it transitioned into everyday language, symbolizing the broader concept of completing tasks swiftly and within deadlines.

Examples

Despite the heavy traffic, she managed to beat the clock and arrive at the meeting just in time.
The students worked diligently to beat the clock and submit their projects before the deadline.
With only minutes left, he beat the clock by finishing the final exam questions just in time.
The chefs in the competition beat the clock by plating their dishes seconds before time was up.
To secure the contract, the team had to beat the clock and present their proposal ahead of the competitors.
Under immense pressure, the journalist beat the clock by filing the breaking news story right before the editor's cut-off time.
During the marathon, she paced herself strategically to beat the clock and achieve a personal best.
The software development team had to beat the clock to release the new update before the holiday season.
Facing a strict timeline, the architect beat the clock by finalizing the blueprints ahead of schedule.
In a thrilling finish, the athlete beat the clock, setting a new record in the last few seconds of the race.