# buy time

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/buy-time
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.