What do you do when you suddenly realise you're running out of time to get something done?

A natural way to answer

When time is short, I try to stay calm and focus only on what really matters. I make a quick mental list of the essentials and let go of the smaller details I can't fit in.

Key phrases to use

• knuckle down — to start working hard and seriously, with full focus“I need to knuckle down and finish this report tonight.”
• cut corners — to do something quickly and cheaply by skipping parts of the proper process“Don't cut corners on safety just to save time.”