running out of time
Clock almost empty
Running out of time describes having little time remaining before a deadline, opportunity, or critical moment passes.
The phrase suggests urgency and diminishing options: We're running out of time to finish this project.
It often carries anxiety about consequences—what happens when time expires: The rescue team was running out of time to reach survivors.
- due dateWhen payment is required
- countdownBackward enumeration to zero
- eleventh hourLatest possible time
- zero hourScheduled start of action
- urgencyPressing need for action
fleeting moments · burning daylight · delay · scramble · haste · quick fix · expiration · prioritization · stopwatch · desperation · last ditch effort · adrenaline rush · stress · triage · pressure cooker · emergency measures · ticking clock · clock is ticking
- time sayingscarpe diem, seize the day, better late than never, tempus fugit, haste makes waste
- exasperationugh, sigh, groan, argh, geez
- Incomplete Actionsunfinished, partial, halfway, midway, interrupted
running out of timeno rush
No urgency here
unhurried · leisurely · time to burn · open-ended · timeless
running out of timetaking one's time
unrushed · unhurried · relaxed · at ease · stress-free
running out of timeahead of schedule
Before the planned time
ahead of time · on track · beating the clock · ahead of the game · in good shape
running, runner, runners, outing, time, timers, timely, untimely, overtime