gain time

gain time

1. To dawdle or take some action so as to have more time to do something. To gain time when the chairman of the board asked about my plan for the new project, I excused myself to the bathroom.
2. To be ahead of the actual time, as of a clock or watch. This watch must have gained time—it says it's 12:15, but the grandfather clock downstairs just chimed 12.
See also: gain, time
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

gain ˈtime

delay something so that you can have more time to make a decision, deal with a problem, etc: Instead of answering the question, he asked for a glass of water to gain time.
See also: gain, time
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

gain time

1. To run too fast. Used of a timepiece.
2. To delay or prolong something until a desired event occurs.
See also: gain, time
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • any time means no time
  • any time
  • anytime
  • (it's) (a)bout time
  • about time
  • at all hours
  • at all hours (of the day and night)
  • any old time
  • ahead of (someone's or something's) time
  • ahead of your/its time
References in periodicals archive
The amount is a windfall for shareholders who decided to remain in the struggling company even as it went private.Marshalls, which now sells a few KIA cars in a year, said it decided to delist in order to gain time and flexibility to reorganise its business effectively.
Marshalls gets Sh824m from vehicle assembly plant sale
Although Froome is favoured to gain time in a battle against the clock, he has little margin for error.
It's my Tour to lose now, admits Chris; cycling
Froome must now defend his lead over relatively flat territory on today's stage to Salon-de-Provence before tomorrow's time trial in Marseille where he is expected to gain time.
Summit special as Froome closes on fourth France title
Gain time and save money!', the service also aims to solve problems in the commercial sector stemming from a delay in delivery or non-payment for goods.
New service to help warring neighbours solve their problems
Sirajul Haq said that the rulers were not ready for accountability and were issuing statements only to gain time. However, he said that the masses would not allow them to run away from Ehtisab.
Sirajul Haq asks govt to grant right of vote to Overseas Pakistanis
"Thus, the EU did not have the intention to establish a visa-free regime with Turkey, they are simply trying to gain time," said Oztarsu.
Expert: EU has no intention to establish visa-free regime with Turkey
In recent military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan, role of temporary vascular shunt has been highlighted as a measure to gain time and as a damage control entity.
TEMPORARY VASCULAR SHUNTS FOR VASCULAR TRAUMA
He continued "The other blocs from the coalition maneuvering to gain time, waiting for features of the ministerial change to be with the majority."
-National Alliance Agrees Just Publicly On The Cabinet Reshuffle, And There Are Deep Differences Behind The Scenes
The main focus lies on the app's multiplayer, where players will try to survive as long as possible by solving short minigames to gain time. The app will help you train your brain while having fun at the same time and it is best suited for players ages 12 and up.
"Nous." Has Released! Minigame-Based Mobile Multiplayer on iOS and Android.
"I thought he was going to be the one guy from the main contenders who would gain time in this first phase of the race."
Froome throws down Tour gauntlet to his jersey rivals
Teams are marked on "attacking tactics, acceleration of the game, efforts to gain time, and continued pursuit of goals".
Liverpool top Fair Play table
"Let some parties to play matches and we can gain time to organise our party," he added.
Zardari for wise political decisions to avoid setback
Wenger said: "They tried to gain time. Slowing the game down is normal and I understand it fully.
THE REF'S A CLOCK BOTCHER; Arsene irate after derby draw
"My lead is so big because I succeeded in my first goal to gain time on the cobble stones (on stage five)."
Nibali has Tour win firmly in his sights; CYCLING
On Iran's nuclear file, Alsharq newspaper explained that Iran is waffling to gain time and accomplish what it can in its nuclear program away from international monitoring.
Saudi Press