marked time
Waited without advancing
Marked time is the past tense of mark time, which originally describes a military drill where soldiers move their feet in marching rhythm without advancing.
The figurative sense dominates: to wait without making progress, maintaining activity while circumstances prevent forward movement.
We marked time until the funding came through.
She marked time in the job while waiting for a better opportunity.
- hiatusBreak in activity
- pauseTemporary cessation of activity
- cadenceRhythmic pulse or pattern
- suspensionTemporary halt or exclusion
- hesitationDelay from uncertainty
stasis · in limbo · interlude · drill · treading water · going nowhere · waiting game · lull · march · military drill · anticipation · counting down · standstill · at a standstill · dead stop · preparation · patience · synchronization
marked timeadvanced
Far along in development
progressed · moved forward · forged ahead · pushed forward · made progress
marked timetook action
Responded with effort
took the plunge · committed · engaged · struck · jumped in
mark, marked, time, times, timed, timing, timer, timers, marking