Play for time Meaning in English
expression
ˈpɫeɪ/ /ˈfɔɹ/, /fɝ/, /fɹɝ/ /ˈtaɪm
PLAY for TIME
plˈeɪ/ /fˈɔː/ /tˈaɪm
PLAY faw TIME
Definição
To deliberately delay making a decision or taking action in order to gain more time.
Uso & Nuances
Informal, often used when stalling under pressure. Common collocations: 'try to play for time,' 'just playing for time.' Not literal—means delaying, not involved with games.
Spanish: ganar tiempo – retrasar el momentoPortuguese (BR): ganhar tempo – enrolarPortuguese (PT): ganhar tempo – adiarChinese (Simplified): 拖延时间 – 争取时间Chinese (Traditional): 拖延時間 – 爭取時間Hindi: समय निकालना – देर करनाArabic: كسب الوقت – المماطلةBengali: সময় নষ্ট করা - দেরি করার চেষ্টা করাRussian: тянуть время - выигрывать времяJapanese: 時間稼ぎをするVietnamese: câu giờ - kéo dài thời gianKorean: 시간을 끌다Turkish: zaman kazanmaya çalışmak - zaman kazanmakUrdu: وقت کو طول دینا - وقت حاصل کرنے کی کوشش کرناIndonesian: mengulur waktu - memperlambat keputusan
Frases de Exemplo
The manager tried to play for time before making a final decision.
basic
She asked more questions to play for time during the interview.
basic
The team called a timeout to play for time.
basic
"Are you just trying to play for time until you think of an excuse?"
natural
Our lawyer is playing for time while searching for new evidence.
natural
Instead of answering, he just kept playing for time with small talk.
natural