IdiomDaily Life
English
Englishplay for time
Meaning: To delay deliberately in the hope of improving one's position.
Example: “When asked about the budget, the mayor played for time.”
Origin: From sports such as cricket and football, where a team protecting a result slows the game. The figurative use is common from the 19th century.
Equivalents in other languages
Polish: grać na zwłokę Literally: To play for delay
More English idioms
- shoulder the burden To take on a heavy responsibility.
- gild the lily To spoil something already perfect by adding to it.
- cook the books To falsify figures, especially accounts.
- no room to swing a cat A very small or cramped space.
- a snake in the grass A treacherous person who pretends to be a friend.
- give one's eyeteeth for something To want something very badly.
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