Beating the clock?

[Nasreddin]

Test No. incompl/inter-78 "Tick Tock", question 9

The competition is very strong as each team wants to be fastest and ......... the clock.

(a) hit
(b) knock
(c) strike
(d) beat

Test No. incompl/inter-78 "Tick Tock", answer 9

The competition is very strong as each team wants to be fastest and beat the clock.

Correct answer: (d) beat

Your answer was: incorrect
The competition is very strong as each team wants to be fastest and knock the clock.
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What does it mean?

[Torsten]

If you beat the clock you manage to do or finish something within the time allowed or even earlier. So, beating the clock means you are faster than your competitors.

TOEIC listening, talks: Employee is summarizing results of brand recognition study

[Watie]

Hello..
Please, help me..
Would you like to explain to me the structure name of 'the time allowed'? When I translate 'the time allowed' on my native language, it read as passive voice (the time that is allowed) and it is sometime confusing me.

[Kitosdad]

When the competitor entered the competition, there was a set time in which he had to complete his task. He did so successfully, and in doing so he "beat the clock".
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Keep it simple ... Keep it interesting.