buy time
To purposefully cause a delay, in order to achieve something else.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I need to buy time to finish my work.”
“The manager asked for a meeting to buy time while the team finished the report.”
“By offering a minor concession during the negotiations, the diplomat hoped to buy time for his government to reach a more favorable agreement.”
- 01
a week is a long time in politics
In politics, much change can occur in a short space of time.
- 02
about time
Far past the desired time.
- 03
any time now
Very soon.
- 04
any time soon
soon
- 05
been there, done that, bought the T-shirt
Expresses the speaker's complete familiarity with a situation, with overtones of cynicism or exhaustion.
- 06
better luck next time
Used to wish somebody hope in future success after a failure.
- 07
bide one's time
To wait, especially for a suitable opportunity.
- 08
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.
Last updated August 10, 2026