play for time
idiom
: to try to make something happen later instead of sooner : to try to delay something
They're just playing for time, hoping that the situation will resolve itself.
Examples of play for time in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The best approach is to play for time—holding the line in Ukraine, minimizing the costs for the United States, and preparing for the day Putin eventually leaves.
—
Peter Schroeder, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2024
With this overly cautious decision, Biden is letting Russian President Vladimir Putin play for time and wait for a possible change in U.S. leadership and policy.
—Josh Rogin, Washington Post, 12 July 2024
In addition to that, the protracted and painstaking negotiations between Lavrov and then-Secretary of State Kerry over the Syrian civil war was a case study for Blinken in how the Kremlin can stall and play for time, a senior official said.
—John Hudson, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2023
The council tried to play for time.
—Ruth Franklin, The New York Review of Books, 11 May 2022
The message emphasizes that such firms just play for time and try to reduce the size of the ransom, neither of which is in the crooks’ interest.
—David Balaban, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2021
Crown can afford to play for time.
—Jacky Wong, WSJ, 15 June 2021
Johnson’s goal, analysts said, would be to play for time, delaying any referendum until after the next British general election, which is to be held no later than 2024.
—BostonGlobe.com, 9 May 2021
The South’s premier college football conferences called a play for time.
—Alan Blinder, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2020
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Peter Schroeder, Foreign Affairs, 3 Sep. 2024
With this overly cautious decision, Biden is letting Russian President Vladimir Putin play for time and wait for a possible change in U.S. leadership and policy.
—Josh Rogin, Washington Post, 12 July 2024
In addition to that, the protracted and painstaking negotiations between Lavrov and then-Secretary of State Kerry over the Syrian civil war was a case study for Blinken in how the Kremlin can stall and play for time, a senior official said.
—John Hudson, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2023
The council tried to play for time.
—Ruth Franklin, The New York Review of Books, 11 May 2022
The message emphasizes that such firms just play for time and try to reduce the size of the ransom, neither of which is in the crooks’ interest.
—David Balaban, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2021
Crown can afford to play for time.
—Jacky Wong, WSJ, 15 June 2021
Johnson’s goal, analysts said, would be to play for time, delaying any referendum until after the next British general election, which is to be held no later than 2024.
—BostonGlobe.com, 9 May 2021
The South’s premier college football conferences called a play for time.
—Alan Blinder, New York Times, 12 Aug. 2020
Dictionary Entries Near play for time
Cite this Entry
“Play for time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play%20for%20time. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share