buying time
Postponing the inevitable
Buying time is delaying action or decision to gain more time for preparation, escape, or finding a solution.
The phrase treats time as a commodity that can be purchased through stalling tactics: She asked more questions, buying time while her partner called for backup.
Often implies the delay is strategic rather than passive.
- stallEnclosed compartment or delay
- temporizingDeliberately delaying decision-making
- running out the clockConsuming remaining game time strategically
- reprievePostponement of punishment
- pauseTemporary cessation of activity
clock · delay · delaying tactics · filibuster · deferral · damage control · postponing · breathing room · negotiation · holding pattern · treading water · waiting game · prolong · stopgap · procrastinating · hesitating · contingency planning · tension
- stallingstall, stalling, delay, hesitate, procrastinate
- delay tacticsstalling, delaying tactic, procrastination, postponement, deferral
- time sayingscarpe diem, seize the day, better late than never, tempus fugit, haste makes waste
buying timepulling the trigger
biting the bullet · cutting to the chase · taking the plunge · jumping in · getting down to business
time, buy, buying, bought, buyer, times, timer, timely, timed