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.

---

waiting game British  

noun

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

---

waiting game Idioms  

1. see play a waiting game.

---

Etymology

Origin of waiting game

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

waiting game

The hype around quantum computing continues to build, but for many players, it’s still a high-stakes waiting game.

From Barron's ● May 14, 2026

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 ● Dec. 24, 2025

Reflecting on Mr Bush's guilty plea in relation to her family, she said she felt "mixed emotions" because other families were "playing a waiting game" for next year's trial.

From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2025

For now, Guittard says he will have to play the waiting game and see how it unfolds.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 15, 2025

Then I relaxed a bit; work had to be done and I would play the waiting game.

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison