stalled for time
Bought extra minutes
Stalled for time means deliberately delayed in order to gain more time.
The phrase describes tactics used when someone needs to postpone action or decision: She stalled for time by asking clarifying questions.
The image is of an engine that has stopped running—except here the stopping is intentional rather than mechanical failure.
- filibusterDelaying tactic through speech
- delay of gamePenalty for slow play
- delayingCausing later occurrence
- deferringPostponing or yielding respectfully
- prevaricateSpeak misleadingly to deceive
stonewalling · procrastination · foot-dragging · dragging one's feet · temporizing · holding pattern · postponing · equivocate · strategy · ruse · deflection · reluctance · negotiations · tactics · avoidance · kicking the can down the road · evasion · debates
stalled for timebit the bullet
Endured something difficult
took the plunge · pulled the trigger · cut to the chase · took charge · pushed forward
stalled for timerushed
Done with excessive speed
hurried · expedited · accelerated · fast-tracked · cut to the chase
stall, stalled, stalling, stalls, time, times, timed, timing, timer