play for time

Idioms and Phrases

Use delaying tactics, temporize, as in The defense attorney decided to play for time while they searched for an eyewitness . [c. 1940]

Example Sentences

Might they just want to play for time, see how LIV reacts as contracts with several of their initial crop of players begin to expire?

From BBC

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, is known as a man who likes to play for time and postpone big decisions.

From New York Times

West Brom midfielder Grady Diangana narrowly failed to connect as the ball bounced tantalisingly across Egypt's six-yard box, prefacing a finale in which the more established contenders seemed understandably content to play for time rather than attack with intent.

From BBC

Many U.S. officials believe that Mr. Putin aspires to gain far greater control of Ukraine than he has now, something that will require him to play for time.

From New York Times

In addition to that, the protracted and painstaking negotiations between Lavrov and Kerry, as secretary of state, over the Syrian civil war was a case study for Blinken in how the Kremlin can stall and play for time, a senior official said.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• halt
• hamper
• hinder
• interrupt
• postpone
• put off
• slow
• stay
• stop
• suspend