ENGLISH
REFERENCE

buy time

idiom
Meaning

To purposefully cause a delay, in order to achieve something else.


Examples
SIMPLE

I need to buy time to finish my work.

CONTEXTUAL

The manager asked for a meeting to buy time while the team finished the report.

COMPLEX

By offering a minor concession during the negotiations, the diplomat hoped to buy time for his government to reach a more favorable agreement.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    a week is a long time in politics

    In politics, much change can occur in a short space of time.

  2. 02

    about time

    Far past the desired time.

  3. 03

    any time now

    Very soon.

  4. 04

    any time soon

    soon

  5. 05

    better luck next time

    Used to wish somebody hope in future success after a failure.

  6. 06

    bide one's time

    To wait, especially for a suitable opportunity.

  7. 07

    borrowed time

    A period of time whose precise duration is not known but which can be expected to be quite limited, and at the end of which one's situation, benefits, or opportunities will be entirely terminated.

  8. 08

    burn time

    To waste time unnecessarily.

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