rat racing1
/ˈrat ˌreɪsɪŋ/noun
The action or practice of engaging in a rat race; specifically (a) The racing of rats; (b) The racing of cars, planes, etc., competitively or erratically and at high speed; (c) The action, process, or experience of working in a competitive urban environment.
Origin
Early 20th century; earliest use found in Eden Phillpotts (1862–1960), writer. From rat race + -ing. In later use probably partly also from rat-race + -ing.
rat-racing2
/ˈratˌreɪsɪŋ/adjective
That rat-races; specifically that engages in the urban rat race.
Origin
1960s; earliest use found in The New York Times. Partly from rat race + -ing, and partly from rat-race + -ing.