Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
buy time. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
buy time, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
buy time in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
buy time you have here. The definition of the word
buy time will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
buy time, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
buy + time
Pronunciation
Verb
buy time (third-person singular simple present buys time, present participle buying time, simple past and past participle bought time)
- (idiomatic) To purposefully cause a delay, in order to achieve something else.
- We need you to buy us some time, so distract the security guard for a few minutes.
2020 September 25, Reuters Staff, “Thai republican hashtag trends after constitution change delayed”, in Reuters, Reuters, retrieved 2020-09-25:Parliament, dominated by supporters of the government, voted on Thursday to delay making a decision on whether it will amend the constitution. The decision angered protesters and opposition parliamentarians, who accused parliament of trying to buy time.
- Synonym: play for time
Translations
purposefully cause a delay, in order to achieve something else