beat the clock

English

Verb

beat the clock (third-person singular simple present beats the clock, present participle beating the clock, simple past beat the clock, past participle beaten the clock)

1. (idiomatic) To perform a task or successfully complete an activity within a time limit.
   • 2010 November 26, Ron Lieber, “A Dying Banker’s Last Instructions”, in New York Times, retrieved 25 August 2014:

     He and Mr. Goldie have managed to beat the clock, finishing and printing the book themselves while Mr. Murray is still alive.

   • 2012 September 16, Mike Brehm, “Milan Lucic, Evander Kane lead under-the-wire signings”, in USA Today, retrieved 25 August 2014:

     Evander Kane just beat the clock in the final hour before the NHL lockout, agreeing to terms with the Winnipeg Jets on a six-year, $31.5 million contract.

2. (idiomatic) To be used or become operational before a deadline or date of expiration.
   • 1994 April 5, “A Break for Hunt”, in Time, retrieved 25 August 2014:

     Judge Randall Thomas dropped a dozen theft charges against Hunt . . ., ruling that the indictment came after a three-year state statute of limitations had run out. One ethics charge—punishable by up to $10,000 and 10 years behind bars—did beat the clock.

3. (idiomatic) To remain youthful; to live a long, healthy life.
   • 1995 July 16, Phil Davison, “A Very Big Fish Indeed”, in The Independent, UK, retrieved 25 August 2014:

     [T]he man who looked like an ageing rocker trying to beat the clock, was none other than Robert Lee Vesco.

   • 2013 September 15, “Anti-age your health”, in Guardian, UK, retrieved 25 August 2014:

     From getting a good night's sleep to keeping your teeth and gums healthy, there are plenty of tricks you can employ to beat the clock.

References

• “beat the clock”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.