Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
pressed for time

pressed for time

10 4.2
When you have very little time you need to hurry
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : con poco tiempo
  • I said, "I'm sorry to barge in this way, Mr. Tobin, but I'm kind of pressed for time, and I knew you wouldn't mind."

Examples

  • As Americans have become more pressed for time, convenient, simplified meals have become a way of life.

    Academic text (2005)

  • The project deadline is approaching fast, and our team is pressed for time to complete the work.

  • I understand we are rather pressed for time.

    In the Loop (2009)

  • As a matter of fact, we're a little pressed for time.

    Getting Even with Dad (1994)

  • First, teachers of young children are pressed for time and have content they need to deliver quickly.

    Academic text (2013)

  • If you find yourself pressed for time to exercise, try to work around your busy schedule.

    Blog text (34)

  • Special education professionals are seemingly always pressed for time.

    Academic text (2012)

  • Even though my daughter is only in 6th grade, she too is frequently pressed for time.

    Blog text (11)

  • We don't mean to rush you, but we're a little pressed for time.

    Knock at the Cabin (2023)

  • Thanksgiving is fast approaching, but what if you're pressed for time or just a kitchen klutz?

    Blog text (8)

Synonyms

against time
vspressed for time
  • Informal
12 3.8

Working quickly to finish something before a deadline

describes the general need to hurry because of little time, not only racing deadlines
short on time
vspressed for time
11 3.3

Not having enough time to do what you need

implies needing to hurry because time is limited
against the clock
vspressed for time
  • Informal
7 3.7

Trying to finish something before time runs out

is a general state of little time that causes hurry, not a strict race
rushed
vspressed for time
1.8

Made quickly without enough care because there is little time

focuses on being hurried by lack of time rather than how actions are performed
time-challenged
vspressed for time
  • Informal
8.1

A person who cannot manage time well and often finishes tasks late

describes a temporary urgent situation needing hurry rather than chronic poor time management

Antonyms

leisurely
30 3.4

In a relaxed way without hurrying

unhurried
5 3.5

Not rushed and calm in movement or speech

How Pressured

frantic
93 3.9
pressed for time
  • Informal
10 4.2
rushed
1.8
busy
∞ 1.0
relaxed
241 1.0

Surface Forms

pressed for time positive

Morphology

press + for + time

The sense 'having little time' is built from a metaphorical use of 'press' (apply pressure/urgency) combined with 'for time' marking the domain, so a learner who knows the words can often infer a sense of time constraint but must make a non-literal mapping from physical pressure to temporal scarcity. This mapping is partially predictable (and found in many languages) but not fully compositional, so the item is best classified as semi-transparent.

Etymology

Pressed for time may come from the image of time pushing or squeezing you so you feel pressed and have very little room to act. That's why it now means 'having little time and needing to hurry'.