How literal is this phrase?

Sample examples at http://tinyurl.com/is-it-lit

rat race:

Definitions:

  1. an exhausting routine that leaves no time for relaxation

Examples:

  1. . Some people have felt the light commanding them to opt out of the ‘ rat race ' – perhaps to abandon a status-driven career path in favour of work that embodies
  2. in the bank you can then decide whether you need to get back into the rat race that put you in hospital in the first place . This cover goes hand in
  3. could be short-term Retreats for those members of the serious classes who may find the rat race - or even the mouse race - to be a bit too much for the
  4. The idea of Art and Culture blending with the 9 - 5 of the city rat race is a hard one to imagine . The two do n't exactly mesh do they
  5. amuse themselves during the long overnight sessions recording 1990 's Hunkpapa album by betting on rat races in the alleyway under the studio . Apparently , Prince 's erstwhile head bimbo ,

Note: Please select the answers below carefully based on the definition which occurs frequently in the examples

Step 3: score of 0-5 for how literal is the phrase "rat race"
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