the rat race
/ðə ˈræt reɪs/INFORMAL · B2
Meaning
the exhausting competition of modern working life
Examples
- 1After twenty years in the rat race, Maria bought a smallholding in Wales.
- 2He left the rat race and now repairs bicycles in a village.
- 3Plenty of commuters dream of escaping the rat race before they turn fifty.
- 4Six trains a day convinced Priya that the rat race was not for her.
- 5Would you go back to the rat race for double the salary and a longer commute?
Grammar
Always singular and always with the. Usual verbs are join, leave and escape.
Similar in meaning
More idioms about work and careers
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →keep your nose to the grindstoneto keep working hard without stoppinglearn the ropesto learn how a job is donepull your weightto do your fair share of the workgo the extra mileto make more effort than people expectget the sackto be dismissed from your jobcut cornersto save time or money at the expense of quality
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
Here you get a couple of questions. The app gives you 16 practice modes, native equivalents and spaced repetition that tells you when it’s time to refresh.
