delaying action
Buying time maneuver
A delaying action is a military tactic designed to slow an enemy's advance without committing to a decisive engagement—buying time for reinforcement, retreat, or repositioning.
The term extends to any maneuver meant to postpone resolution: The lawsuit was a delaying action while they moved assets offshore.
The implication is strategic stalling rather than genuine attempt at victory.
- stallingIntentional delay tactics
- filibusterDelaying tactic through speech
- rearguardTroops protecting retreating forces
- fighting retreatOrderly withdrawal under fire
- retreatSanctuary or withdrawal
stall tactics · fall back · postponement · holding · holding pattern · buying time · running out the clock · waiting game · hindrance · obstruction · procrastination · playing for time · hesitation · time out · footdragging · stonewalling · blockade · ambush
- stallingstall, stalling, hesitate, procrastinate, dawdle
- combat tacticsflanking, ambush, feint, skirmish, firefight
- military tacticstactics, flanking, maneuver, ambush, battle formations
- formationsline, circle, triangle, ring, spiral
- retreatsspa, retreat house, meditation retreat, writing retreat, wellness retreat
- skirmishesskirmish, clash, encounter, brush, scuffle
delaying actiondecisive battle
Conflict resolving the war
frontal assault · offensive · full-scale assault · pitched battle · knockout blow
delaying actionquick strike
preemptive strike · rapid response · first strike · lightning strike · rush
delay, delaying, delayed, delays, action, actions, acting, actor, actors