stall

set out (one's) stall

To prove one's motivation or determination to achieve or do something by preparing to achieve or do it. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. My parents don't think I'm serious about becoming a designer, but I'm going to set out my stall by creating my first line this summer. He has certainly set out his stall to graduate first in his class, and so far he's on track to do it.
See also: out, set, stall

stall for (something)

1. To create a delay or distraction for a length of time or in order to achieve, obtain, or accomplish something. I need to you stall for a few minutes while I get the projector set up for the presentation. The boxer tried to stall for a rest by clinching his opponent.
2. To slow, falter, or stop progressing for some length or period of time. Reports are indicating that the economy will continue to stall for the third year in a row. Development on the prototype stalled for several weeks as we tried to source the materials we needed.
3. To delay or distract someone or something with evasive or prevaricating language or behavior for a certain length of time. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "stall" and "for." I stalled the teacher for a little while so Johnny could finish writing in his answers to the quiz. Are you almost ready? I don't think I can stall the tribunal for much longer!
4. To cause something to slow, falter, or stop progressing for some length or period of time. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "stall" and "for." The intense cold has already stalled drilling in the area for two months, and there's no end to the cold snap in sight. The senator tried stalling the vote for the day in order to make some last-minute amendments to it.
See also: stall

stall for time

1. To create a delay or distraction in order to gain additional time. My presentation was totally worthless without my slides, so all I could do was stall for time until Mary got the projector working again. The judge accused the prosecutor of stalling for time.
2. To delay or distract someone or something with evasive or prevaricating language or behavior in order to gain time. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "stall" and "for." He kept talking to stall the criminal for time until the police arrived.
See also: stall, time

stall off

To avoid, evade, or delay dealing with someone or something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "stall" and "off." A: "If that's the bank manager calling me about the mortgage, tell her I'm not home." B: "You can't keep stalling her off forever, you know." I've been stalling off the investigation for nearly a week, trying to get our accounts in order before the auditor comes to look at them.
See also: off, stall

stall the digger

Stop. Primarily heard in Ireland. Stall the digger! These people need to cross the street!
See also: digger, stall
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

stall for time

to cause a delay intentionally. You are just stalling for time. Please hurry. she is stalling for time, hoping someone will rescue her.
See also: stall, time

stall someone or something for something

to delay someone or something for a period of time. I stalled him for as long as I could. I could not stall the proceedings for another second.
See also: stall

stall someone or something off

to put off or delay someone or something. The sheriff is at the door. I'll stall him off while you get out the back door. You can stall off the sheriff, but you can't stall off justice.
See also: off, stall
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

set out your stall

BRITISH
If you set out your stall you show your intentions or beliefs in a way that is very clear and determined. He has set out his stall to retain his place in Europe's Ryder Cup team. The Prime Minister last night set out his stall for a third election win.
See also: out, set, stall
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

set out your stall

1 display or show off your abilities, attributes, or experience in order to convince someone of your suitability for something. 2 make your position on an issue very clear. British
See also: out, set, stall
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • set out (one's) stall
  • set out your stall
  • win the battle, but lose the war
  • luck into
  • luck into (something)
  • stoop to conquer
  • sacrifice (someone or something) for (someone or something else)
  • sacrifice for
  • pass with flying colors
  • pass with flying colours
References in periodicals archive
Over the decades, Joe's Stall has become synonymous with the Huyton community, welcoming customers from across the generations.
He's our extraordinary Joe! POPULAR TRADER SAYS PEOPLE POWER HAS HELPED HIM CELEBRATE 30 YEARS IN TOWN HE LOVES
A midday fire of still unknown origin destroyed at least 13 concrete stalls of the Cotabato City mega-market, one year and two days after a fire last year destroyed the two-story mega market building in the same area.
Fire hits Cotabato City mega market anew
In a few cases, more than one stall was allotted to the same person, it added.
DMA to liaise with hospitals to register births, deaths
In fire accident which occurred on January 31, around 240 to 260 stalls were gutted.
All India Industrial Exhibition society gives Rs 2.68 crore as compensation to stall owners
Stalls of fruits, vegetables, chicken, fish and spices were inspected.
Food minister, PFA pay surprise visit to Sunday bazaars
Phea said the former stall owners claimed that they had lost their stalls and that the new market's stalls had shrunk.
Solutions for market vendors
'Those stalls in Tanjung Tokong are at the corner, by the main road and near a school, it poses danger to road users and imagine if someone stopped at the stall and another vehicle came along, it would cause an accident,' he said.
Penang cracks the whip on illegal hawkers
In short, we practice stall entries and recoveries in ways that don't resemble the sequences that wreck airplanes.
Why Do We Stall? The record suggests our current approach to stall training isn't preventing them. Shouldn't that be one of its objectives?
A poor man, who has set up a stall in Nazimabad, said police have told him and other stall holders that they would have to give police a considerable share from their earnings, otherwise the stalls would be removed.
Bribery, a crime
My father retired at 65, but myself and my husband sold our stalls and took over my father's stall (my father still worked on the stall until he reached the age of 85).
Still on the market stall after almost 60 years; LETTERS Get in touch - tell us what you think Email: letters@coventrytelegraph.net Twitter: @coventrytelegraph Facebook: facebook.com/coventrytelegraph Post: Coventry Telegraph, Leicester Row, Canal Basin, Coventry, CV1 4LY
* Are any foodservice operators using the street stall or kiosk format to expand into other semi-captive locations or to reach a broader audience?
"Street Stalls/Kiosks in Singapore" Published
A POPULAR fruit and vegetable stall will return to the traditional site in Cardiff it has occupied for nearly 40 years.
Popular fruit and veg stall to make a return
You've essentially got it right but for one thing: Approaches should not be flown right at the edge of (main wing) stall speed in any conditions.
Tail stall: pitch up?
With Tooshlights in place, LED lights, located above each restroom stall, glow green when the stall is available and turn red when the door is locked.
Is anyone in there? Restroom lights shorten lines
Provo, UT, September 01, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Action Target announced Monday that it has released a new stall design for indoor shooting ranges.
Action Target Announces a New Modular Shooting Stall for Indoor Shooting Ranges