mark time

Idioms  

1. Wait idly for something to occur, as in We were just marking time until we received our instructions. This idiom alludes to the literal meaning of marching in place to the time, or beat, of music. [Early 1800s]

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Example Sentences

Coppola asked Journe if a human hand had ever been used to mark time.

From Los Angeles Times

But I find that once you put a number down on paper, you can mark time against it.

From Slate

Trees can spark memories, mark time and give us a comforting place to return to.

From Los Angeles Times

Trees, it turns out, can spark memories, mark time and give us a comforting place to return to.

From Los Angeles Times

Rcd1 Rea8, doubling rooks on a closed file, is a bit of a tell that he can only mark time as White dictates the play.

From Washington Times