A rat race is an endless, self-defeating, or pointless pursuit. The phrase equates humans to rats attempting to earn a reward such as cheese, in vain. It may also refer to a competitive struggle to get ahead financially or routinely.

What does the saying rat race mean?

: the unpleasant life of people who have jobs that require them to work very hard in order to compete with others for money, power, status, etc.

Where did the rat race come from?

The term comes from the race between two rats to get the piece of cheese at the other of the room first by trying to outrun each other. In the process, they spend more energy than the reward is worth.