In this idiom and phrase question, interpret the expression "Against the clock" and select the option that best explains its meaning in standard English usage.

Introduction / Context:
The idiom "against the clock" is widely used in work situations, sports commentary, and everyday conversation to describe tasks performed under severe time pressure. Idiom questions like this one test whether you can go beyond literal word meanings and understand the figurative sense that native speakers attach to fixed expressions.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The idiom given is "Against the clock". • Four possible explanations are listed. • Only one of these reflects the correct idiomatic meaning of working under time pressure.

Concept / Approach:
When someone is working "against the clock", it means they are trying to complete a task before a fixed deadline, often in a hurry or with limited time remaining. The clock here symbolises the deadline or time limit, and being "against" it suggests a race or struggle to beat the time. Therefore, the correct explanation should mention doing a job quickly or racing to finish before time runs out.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Examine option A: "To do a job fast to finish it before a deadline." This matches the idea of racing to finish something within limited time. Step 2: Look at option B: "Time is money." This is a different proverb that stresses the value of time but not the idea of racing against a deadline. Step 3: Consider option C: "Man is a victim of time." This gives a philosophical statement about human life and time, not the specific idiom. Step 4: Check option D: "It is useless to fight destiny." This relates to fate, not to deadlines. Step 5: Conclude that option A is the only accurate paraphrase of the idiom.

Verification / Alternative check:
Think of a typical sentence: "The team was working against the clock to complete the project before the client visit." Here the phrase clearly describes hurried work because of a fixed deadline. If we replace it with any of the other options, the sentence becomes illogical or loses the idea of urgency. This comparison confirms that the idiom is specifically about time pressure and deadlines rather than general thoughts about time or fate.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
"Time is money" is another idiom that emphasises that wasting time is like wasting money; it does not refer to racing a deadline. "Man is a victim of time" is a philosophical observation and not a recognised idiom with the same structure. "It is useless to fight destiny" concerns fate and destiny, which are unrelated to the practical problem of finishing work within a time limit.

Common Pitfalls:
A common error is to choose an option that has a general connection to time but does not capture the specific nuance of the idiom. Another pitfall is ignoring the everyday context where this expression is used, such as exams, office deadlines, or timed competitions. To improve with idioms, pay attention to how they appear in news reports and dialogues and mentally link them to typical situations, not just to abstract meanings.

Final Answer:
The idiom "Against the clock" means to do a job fast to finish it before a deadline.