runs down the clock
Delays until expiration
To run down the clock is to use up remaining time deliberately, preventing opponents from having a chance to act.
In sports, a team with the lead runs down the clock by maintaining possession rather than scoring: They ran down the clock with a series of short passes.
The phrase extends to any situation where delay serves strategic purposes—in negotiations, legal proceedings, or politics, running down the clock means stalling until time limits expire.
- timeoutBrief suspension of play
- stallingIntentional delay tactics
- time-wastingUnproductive use of hours
- delay of gamePenalty for slow play
- ball controlMastery over the sphere
foot-dragging · possession · time control · time management · waiting game · holding pattern · slow play · buying time · four corners · passive resistance · pacing · deferral · postponement · procrastination · inertia · hesitation · keep-away · prevent defense
runs down the clockfast breaks
Quick offensive rushes
races against time · hurry-up offense · no-huddle · goes all out
runs, running, runner, runners, down, downer, downed, downing, downward