play a waiting game

1. Delay an action or decision so as to force an opponent to move or to gain additional information. For example, The lawyer advised her to play a waiting game and see if her husband would come up with more alimony. [Late 1800s]

Example Sentences

“The threat is imminent, so we can no longer play a waiting game,” she said.

From Seattle Times

But KKR has been forced to play a waiting game as Telecom Italia overhauled its management, ousting its fourth chief executive in six years after a string of profit warnings.

From Reuters

Given the challenges and costs of recruiting in a tight labor market, many restaurants are likely to play a waiting game — delaying an expensive hiring push until they’re certain that enough customers are ready to start dining out regularly again.

From Seattle Times

The only thing to do is play a waiting game in the hope that the murderer may attempt another killing and be caught in the act.

From New York Times

Normally, the Chinese believe that time is on their side and play a waiting game, but Taiwan might be an exception.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• dawdle 
• hesitate