beat the clock
idiom
: to do or finish something quickly before a particular time
In a desperate attempt to beat the clock, I raced to mail my tax return before midnight.
Examples of beat the clock in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Now, if teams don’t beat the clock with a shot in a postseason game, the ball is handed to the opposing team.
—
Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 June 2025
The full impact has also been delayed because companies beat the clock by bringing in foreign goods before Trump’s tariffs took effect.
—Anne D'innocenzio, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025
The perennial Norris Trophy candidate worked at a feverish pace to beat the clock and recover from Feb. 4 knee surgery in time to be part of this playoff run.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Retail sales jumped and car sales surged in March as consumers tried to beat the clock on tariffs.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beat the clock
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 June 2025
The full impact has also been delayed because companies beat the clock by bringing in foreign goods before Trump’s tariffs took effect.
—Anne D'innocenzio, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025
The perennial Norris Trophy candidate worked at a feverish pace to beat the clock and recover from Feb. 4 knee surgery in time to be part of this playoff run.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Retail sales jumped and car sales surged in March as consumers tried to beat the clock on tariffs.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for beat the clock
Cite this Entry
“Beat the clock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beat%20the%20clock. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share