C1idiominformalworkIELTS-friendly
the rat race
USUK
the tiring, competitive life of people who work hard to earn money and get ahead
Almost always 'the rat race', often with 'escape', 'leave' or 'get out of'.
In context
After ten years in Ho Chi Minh City, they left the rat race and opened a farm stay in Da Lat.
Many young people feel trapped in the rat race and dream of working remotely.
More idioms about work
- a baptism of firea very difficult first experience of a new job or activity
- a cushy joba job that is easy and pleasant but still pays well
- a dead-end joba job with no chance of promotion or of learning anything new
- a jack of all tradesa person who can do many different kinds of work fairly well
- a labour of lovehard work that you do because you enjoy it or care about it, not for money