play for time

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

Example Sentences

Or is it simply an attempt by Moscow to play for time and to prolong the war?

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"While Putin says he wants peace, he has rejected a full ceasefire and while Putin says he wants to put an end to the fighting, he continues to play for time in the negotiations."

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"The RFU can play for time all it likes, but this is a mass movement by a stronger, united team," said a spokesperson for the collective.

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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?

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

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Related Words

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