Phrase guide

clock is ticking

phrase · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

phrase

Meaning 1

Time is running out; a deadline is approaching.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Qualifier: almost always preceded by the and often followed by for

Examples

  • Near-synonym: tick-tock (interjection)

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: clock is running, time is ticking, time is short, tick-tock

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Azerbaijani: vaxt daralır — time is running out; a deadline is approaching
  • French: l'horloge tourne — time is running out; a deadline is approaching
  • Hungarian: az óra ketyeg — time is running out; a deadline is approaching
  • Icelandic: klukkan tifar — time is running out; a deadline is approaching
  • Polish: zegar tyka — time is running out; a deadline is approaching
  • Tamil: மணி ஆகிறது (maṇi ākiṟatu) — time is running out; a deadline is approaching