English Idiom – Rat race.
The exhausting, competitive routine of modern working life – working hard every day to earn more money and get ahead, with little time for anything else.
Picture laboratory rats racing endlessly around a maze or on a wheel, going nowhere. That’s how many people feel about the daily commute and office grind! People often talk about wanting to escape or get out of the rat race.
Work Life Expressions:
- Bring home the bacon – earn money for your family.
- Call it a day – stop working for the day.
- Make hay while the sun shines – make the most of an opportunity.
- Pound the pavement – walk the streets looking for a job.
- Skive (slang) – avoid work.
Usage:
- You’re having a stressful week at work.
- A relaxing holiday is coming to an end.
- You’re dreaming of early retirement.
Example:
- “I dream of building a little house in the forest and living there forever. I’ve had enough of the rat race!”
Learn More
Look it upRat raceWiktionaryWhat is an idiom?
An idiom is a word or phrase that is not taken literally. An idiom is an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its individual words, but has a separate meaning of its own.
Love animal idioms? See our full list of 50 animal idioms in English, with meanings and examples.
Frequently Asked Questions
The tiring, competitive routine of modern working life, where people work hard just to keep up.
To leave a stressful job or lifestyle for a simpler, more relaxed life.
Test Yourself
What is FunkyEnglish?
FunkyEnglish is a website that helps you improve your English. We offer quick lessons that teach idioms, slang, phrasal verbs and more. Visit our homepage to see our latest articles, or use the menu to find specific content!
