Race against time Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈɹeɪs/ /əˈɡeɪnst/, /əˈɡɛnst/ /ˈtaɪm

RAYS uh-GAYNST TIME

UK

ɹˈeɪs/ /ɐɡˈɛnst/ /tˈaɪm

RACE uh-GENST TIME

Definition

Trying to do something very quickly because there is a deadline or limited time.

Usage & Nuances

Usually used in urgent situations or emergencies. Commonly appears as 'in a race against time.' Emphasizes pressure, stress, and urgency. Not literal—a metaphor for acting quickly before a deadline.

• Spanish: carrera contra el tiempo
• Portuguese (BR): corrida contra o tempo
• Portuguese (PT): corrida contra o tempo
• Chinese (Simplified): 与时间赛跑
• Chinese (Traditional): 與時間賽跑
• Hindi: समय के खिलाफ दौड़
• Arabic: سباق مع الزمن
• Bengali: সময় সঙ্গে প্রতিযোগিতা - সময়ের সঙ্গে দৌড়
• Russian: гонка со временем
• Japanese: 時間との戦い - 時間との競争
• Vietnamese: chạy đua với thời gian
• Korean: 시간과의 경쟁 - 시간과의 싸움
• Turkish: zamana karşı yarış
• Urdu: وقت کے خلاف دوڑ
• Indonesian: perlombaan melawan waktu

Example Sentences

We are in a race against time to finish the project before Friday.

basic

Doctors were in a race against time to save the patient.

basic

It was a race against time to get to the airport after the traffic jam.

basic

We were in a real race against time to submit our application before the deadline.

natural

Fixing the server crash was a race against time because so many people depended on it.

natural

It felt like a race against time as the sun started to set during our hike back.

natural