ticking clock

idiom literature

The term "ticking clock" can refer to both a literal timepiece making a ticking sound and a figurative device indicating a looming deadline.

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Definition

B2General

(idiomatic)A situation where time is running out, creating a sense of urgency.

Example

With the deadline only an hour away, the ticking clock added to her stress.

C1Literature

(literary device)A narrative tool where the main character faces a strict time limit, increasing tension.

Example

The ticking clock in the novel kept readers on the edge of their seats.

A2General

A timepiece making a sound to indicate the passage of time.

Example

The ticking clock in the room was oddly comforting.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "ticking clock":

clock onto clock on wall clock tick over time bomb on the clock biological clock stop someone's clock beat the clock pulsar clock bracket clock clock in tick on time check keep time shot clock tick off atomic clock make tick milk the clock speaking clock time control egg timer put the clock back clock up wall time ticky box count down against time tell time keep good time target timing