Pressed for time Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈpɹɛst/ /ˈfɔɹ/, /fɝ/, /fɹɝ/ /ˈtaɪm

PREST-fer-TIME

UK

pɹˈɛst/ /fˈɔː/ /tˈaɪm

prest-faw-TIME

Definition

If you are pressed for time, you have very little time to do something because you are busy or in a hurry.

Usage & Nuances

Common in both spoken and written English; slightly formal or neutral. Often used when explaining you cannot spend more time or must hurry: 'I'm pressed for time.' Similar to 'short on time' or 'in a rush.' Not usually used for extremely casual speech.

• Spanish: apremiado de tiempo - con poco tiempo
• Portuguese (BR): com falta de tempo - sem tempo
• Portuguese (PT): com falta de tempo - sem tempo
• Chinese (Simplified): 时间紧迫 - 没有时间
• Chinese (Traditional): 時間緊迫 - 沒有時間
• Hindi: समय की कमी - समय से तंगी
• Arabic: مضغوط بالوقت - ليس لديه وقت
• Bengali: সময় স্বল্পতায় থাকা - সময়ের চাপে থাকা
• Russian: времени в обрез - испытывать нехватку времени
• Japanese: 時間に追われている - 時間がない
• Vietnamese: thiếu thời gian - gấp gáp về thời gian
• Korean: 시간에 쫓기다 - 시간이 없다
• Turkish: zaman sıkıntısı çekmek - zamana karşı yarışmak
• Urdu: وقت کی کمی ہونا - وقت کی تنگی ہونا
• Indonesian: terburu-buru - kekurangan waktu

Example Sentences

Sorry, I can't stay long—I'm pressed for time.

basic

She was pressed for time and couldn't finish her homework.

basic

If you're pressed for time, you can skip the last section.

basic

I wish I could help, but I'm really pressed for time right now.

natural

Sometimes when I'm pressed for time, I just grab a quick snack instead of lunch.

natural

He was so pressed for time that he forgot his keys at home.

natural