every second counts
1
3.5
- idiom
- Informal
:
cada segundo cuenta
- In a race, remember that every second counts when trying to beat your best time.
Examples
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When the fire alarm rings, every second counts for a safe evacuation.
-
In a race, every second counts!
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During a heart attack, every second counts when it comes to getting medical help.
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In emergency situations, every second counts, so paramedics must respond quickly.
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When you're late, every second counts.
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In emergencies, every second counts, so act quickly to help those in need.
-
When the deadline is approaching, every second counts to ensure the project is finished on time.
Synonyms
7
3.3
A situation that needs action right away
1
4.4
There is only a short time left to do something
Act immediately because there may not be another chance
How Urgent
- Informal
1
3.5
7
3.3
337
2.9
- Informal
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase's meaning ('each moment of time matters') is directly and compositionally derived from 'every' (each), 'second' (a short unit of time), and 'count(s)' (to be important). This construction is literal and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will readily infer the intended urgent sense.
Etymology
Every second counts comes from the clear image of a ticking clock or stopwatch where each second can change the result in a race or save a life in an emergency. That's why the phrase means 'time is extremely valuable and you must act quickly'.