pressed for time
Against the clock
Pressed for time describes having insufficient time to complete what needs doing, creating urgency or stress.
The phrase suggests external pressure squeezing available time, like being physically pressed.
I'm pressed for time, so let's skip the small talk.
Someone pressed for time typically rushes, cuts corners, or postpones less urgent matters.
The related construction pressed for cash applies the same idea to money rather than time.
Move with urgency
- scrambleMix into disorder
- dashQuick burst or pinch
- raceCompetition of speed
- hustleEnergetic, aggressive action
sprint · scurry · bolt · on the fly · grab and go · quick turnaround · cut corners · against the clock
Time limit for completion
- crunchCrushing, grinding noise
- rushQuick sudden movement
- criticalExpressing disapproval or importance
- priorityStatus of greater importance
immediate · last-minute · eleventh-hour · countdown · ticking clock · due date · cutoff · expiration
Overwhelmed beyond capacity
- overwhelmedDefeated by sheer volume
- overloadedBurdened past capacity
- stretched thinExtended beyond comfortable limits
- jugglingSequential toss-and-catch performance
multitasking · hectic · slammed · buried · inundated · overcommitted · spread thin · double-booked
Mentally and physically depleted
- harriedPersistently tormented or pressured
- anxiousTroubled by uncertainty
- franticWildly anxious or desperate
- strainedUnder uncomfortable tension
tense · pressured · stressed · panicked · on edge · wound up · beside oneself · at wit's end
Quicker alternative path
- streamlineRemove unnecessary elements
- prioritizeRank by importance
- delegateEntrust authority to another
- batchQuantity produced together
triage · fast-track · expedite · cut to the chase · get to the point · bottom line · quick fix · workaround
hurry
Move with urgency
hustle · sprint · scurry · bolt · on the fly · grab and go · quick turnaround · cut corners · against the clock · beat the clock
deadline
Time limit for completion
priority · immediate · last-minute · eleventh-hour · countdown · ticking clock · due date · cutoff · expiration · zero hour
swamped
Overwhelmed beyond capacity
- overwhelmedDefeated by sheer volume
- overloadedBurdened past capacity
- stretched thinExtended beyond comfortable limits
juggling · multitasking · hectic · slammed · buried · inundated · overcommitted · spread thin · double-booked · backlogged
frazzled
Mentally and physically depleted
- harriedPersistently tormented or pressured
- anxiousTroubled by uncertainty
- franticWildly anxious or desperate
strained · tense · pressured · stressed · panicked · on edge · wound up · beside oneself · at wit's end · running ragged
shortcut
Quicker alternative path
- streamlineRemove unnecessary elements
- prioritizeRank by importance
- delegateEntrust authority to another
batch · triage · fast-track · expedite · cut to the chase · get to the point · bottom line · quick fix · workaround · optimize
- being rushedhurrying, rushing, running late, scrambling, hustling
- burnoutburned out, burnt out, burn out, burning out, burnout
- pressureabsolute, psi, pascal, kilopascal, hectopascal
- rushingrushing, hurrying, dashing, sprinting, racing
- time sayingscarpe diem, seize the day, better late than never, tempus fugit, haste makes waste
time, press, pressure, pressing, expression, depressed, impressive, impression, pressed