Buy Time.
English
idiom
To create a delay so you can prepare.
Trusted by1.5M+English learners & teachers worldwide
To create a delay so you can prepare.
Trusted by1.5M+English learners & teachers worldwide
To create a delay on purpose so you can get ready.
When you buy time, you slow things down with a question or a small task because you need more of it.
It describes a tactic, so it isn't automatically dishonest.
"Drag Your Feet"
—
Delay because you don't want to act
"Play for Time"
—
Stall, hoping the situation itself changes
"Buy Time"
—
Create a delay so you can prepare
Let's send them the questions first — it buys time and makes us look thorough.
Agreed. I'll draft them now and we'll send before five.
You keep changing the subject when I bring up the move.
You're right, I've been buying time. I'm not ready to decide yet.
Your parents arrive in an hour and the apartment's a mess.
I'll suggest lunch out first. That buys time to clean up.
