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Play for Time

What Does "Play for Time" Mean?

homeidiomsPlay for Time
"Play for time" is an English idiom. It means "to engage in actions or tactics to delay a decision, event, or confrontation, often in order to gain an advantage or rethink a strategy."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "play for time" used in a sentence:
  • He decided to play for time by asking for more information before making a final decision.
  • During the negotiation, they attempted to play for time to analyze the proposal further.
  • Playing for time can be a useful strategy in situations where quick decisions may lead to unfavorable outcomes.
meaning for play for time

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Play for Time" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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