run out the clock
Waste time strategically
To run out the clock is to protect a lead by consuming time rather than scoring—a strategy in sports where the winning team makes safe, time-killing plays until the game ends: They ran out the clock with a series of short runs.
The phrase extends to any situation where someone delays until a deadline passes: The senator ran out the clock on the investigation.
- stallingIntentional delay tactics
- delayingCausing later occurrence
- waiting gameStrategy of deliberate delay
- stonewallingDeliberately refusing to respond
- footballField sport with goals
basketball · garbage time · play for time · time-out · time-wasting · timing · time management · strategy · deferral · coach · postponement · buying time · take a knee · prevent defense · tactics · pacing · diversion · procrastination
run out the clockgo for the jugular
Exploit maximum vulnerability
attack · go for broke · full-court press · blitz · strike while the iron is hot
run out the clockhurry-up offense
Rapid-tempo football strategy
fast break · run and gun · quick strike · speed up · rapid fire
run out the clockrally
Gathering for a cause
claw back · keep hope alive · leave it all on the field · never say die · Hail Mary
clock, runner, runners, outrun, outing, outer, outermost, clocks, clocked