The Rat Race - Common English Idiom

The Rat Race - English Idiom The rat race is commonly used to mean an exhausting, repetitive lifestyle that has no time for relaxation or enjoyment. I'm tired of the rat race. I want to quit my job and do something that makes me happy. The corporate world can be a tough rat race, with everyone trying to climb the ladder and get ahead. Some people thrive in the rat race, but for others, it can be incredibly stressful and overwhelming.