Beat the clock Meaning in English
expression
ˈbit/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈkɫɑk
BEET-thuh-KLAHK
bˈiːt/ /ðə, ði/ /klˈɒk
BEET-thuh-KLOK
Definition
To finish something before a deadline or before time runs out; to accomplish a task quickly so that time does not run out.
Usage & Nuances
This is an informal idiom, commonly used for work, school, games, or any timed challenge. Typical collocations: 'try to beat the clock', 'managed to beat the clock'. It always involves a sense of urgency and a clear deadline.
Spanish: ganarle al reloj - ganarle al tiempoPortuguese (BR): vencer o relógio - ganhar do tempoPortuguese (PT): vencer o relógio - ganhar ao tempoChinese (Simplified): 抢在时间之前完成 - 赶在截止时间前Chinese (Traditional): 搶在時間之前完成 - 趕在截止時間前Hindi: समय से पहले पूरा करना - घड़ी को पछाड़नाArabic: يسابق الزمن - يتغلب على الوقتBengali: সময়কে হার মানানো - সময়ের আগে শেষ করাRussian: опередить время - успеть до срокаJapanese: 時間内に終える - 時間に間に合わせるVietnamese: chạy đua với thời gian - hoàn thành trước hạnKorean: 시간을 이기다 - 시간 내에 끝내다Turkish: zamanla yarışmak - süre dolmadan bitirmekUrdu: وقت سے پہلے مکمل کرنا - وقت کو شکست دیناIndonesian: mengalahkan waktu - selesai sebelum batas waktu
Example Sentences
We finished the test early and beat the clock.
basic
Try to beat the clock and finish your homework before dinner.
basic
He ran fast to beat the clock in the race.
basic
If we hurry, we can beat the clock and catch the last train.
natural
She had to beat the clock to submit her assignment before midnight.
natural
We barely beat the clock, but at least our project is done!
natural