rat race

See also: rat-race

English

rat +‎ race

rat race (uncountable)

(idiomatic, singular only) An activity or situation which is congested with participants and which is hectic or tedious, especially in the context of a busy, modern urban lifestyle.
- 2006, Richard Corliss, "Get Your Motor Running," Time, 14 May:
  . . . a 1950s-ish town, keeping a sense of community far from the superhighway rat race.
(by extension) The busy, modern urban lifestyle itself.
(politics, business, finance etc) Inconsiderate and/or unfair competition, where the competitors are willing to do just about anything to win.

activity which is hectic, tedious, and congested with participants

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