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- play for time
play for time
play for time
Fig. to stall; to act in such a way as to gain time. I'll play for time while you sneak out the window. The lawyers for the defense were playing for time while they looked for a witness.
play for time
to try to obtain more time We had to play for time in the meeting because we were waiting for important papers to be delivered.
play for time
to try to delay something so that you have more time to prepare for it We can't sign the agreement yet - we'll have to play for time.
play for time
Use delaying tactics, temporize, as in The defense attorney decided to play for time while they searched for an eyewitness. [c. 1940]
play for time
To use delaying tactics; temporize.