Fight against time Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈfaɪt/ /əˈɡeɪnst/, /əˈɡɛnst/ /ˈtaɪm

FYTE uh-GAYNST TYME

UK

fˈaɪt/ /ɐɡˈɛnst/ /tˈaɪm

FYTE uh-GENST TYME

Definition

To try to finish something very quickly because there is not much time left; to work under urgent time pressure.

Usage & Nuances

Usually used in dramatic or urgent contexts, often with 'race against time' as a synonym. Common in projects, emergencies, or competitions. Rare in formal writing; mostly spoken or journalistic.

• Spanish: luchar contra el tiempo - carrera contra el tiempo
• Portuguese (BR): lutar contra o tempo - corrida contra o tempo
• Portuguese (PT): lutar contra o tempo - corrida contra o tempo
• Chinese (Simplified): 与时间赛跑 - 争分夺秒
• Chinese (Traditional): 與時間賽跑 - 爭分奪秒
• Hindi: समय से लड़ना - समय के खिलाफ दौड़
• Arabic: سباق مع الوقت - محاربة الوقت
• Bengali: সময়ের সঙ্গে লড়াই - সময়ের বিরুদ্ধে দৌড়
• Russian: борьба со временем - гонка со временем
• Japanese: 時間との戦い - 時間と競争
• Vietnamese: chạy đua với thời gian - chiến đấu với thời gian
• Korean: 시간과의 싸움 - 시간과의 경쟁
• Turkish: zamanla yarış - zamanla mücadele
• Urdu: وقت کے خلاف لڑائی - وقت کے ساتھ دوڑ
• Indonesian: berlomba melawan waktu - berpacu dengan waktu

Example Sentences

We had to fight against time to finish the project before the deadline.

basic

Doctors fight against time to save patients in emergencies.

basic

They are fighting against time to finish the construction before the rainy season.

basic

It was a real fight against time getting all the paperwork done before the office closed.

natural

We were fighting against time trying to catch our flight after that huge traffic jam.

natural

Every second counted—we were in a fight against time to rescue the hikers before nightfall.

natural