短语 “beat the clock” 的意思是 “争分夺秒地快速完成某项任务” 或 “赶在截止时间前完成某件事情”。

• We’ve got to beat the clock and get this project delivered by the end of the day.
  我们得争分夺秒，赶在今天结束前交付这个项目。
• I’m trying to beat the clock and get my homework done early.
  我正在赶时间，争取早点完成作业。
• Let’s beat the clock and get this cake made in time for the New Year’s Eve party.
  我们要分秒必争，及时为新年前夜庆祝会做好蛋糕。