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.
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