waiting game

American  

noun

1. a stratagem in which action on a matter is reserved for or postponed to a later time, allowing one to wait for a more advantageous time to act or to see what develops in the meantime.

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waiting game British  

noun

1. the postponement of action or decision in order to gain the advantage

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waiting game Idioms  

1. see play a waiting game.

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Etymology

Origin of waiting game

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

And not to sound macabre, but it also sets up a “waiting game” for the widow or widower to die.

From MarketWatch

AMD’s stock is expensive among artificial-intelligence names, Rasgon said, even as the company is still playing “a waiting game” when it comes to proving it can compete in AI.

From MarketWatch

However, now we're entering a new phase with two competing weather influences and it's a waiting games to see which will dominate - more wind and rain, or more snow and ice.

From BBC

For the past few years, housing has been a waiting game, as buyers balk at record-high prices and sellers hold off on listing their homes until activity returns.

From The Wall Street Journal

“There is more of a waiting game that occurs for the best value and best promotion.”

From The Wall Street Journal