stall for time

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
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
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • (as) worthless as tits on a boar (hog)
  • piece of garbage
  • ornament
  • neither use nor ornament
  • don't give/care a rap for
  • no-count
  • be no good
  • rattlebones
  • rattle-bones
  • dirt
References in periodicals archive
The opposition suspects the agreement to allow in monitors is merely intended to stall for time as international pressure on President Bashar Assad grows.
150 dead after two days of violence in Syria
The abductors want payment in diamonds so, attempting to stall for time, the detective swaps a bag of replacement gems from the Serious Crime Unit's evidence safe.
Tuesday's TV
Trouble starts on Monday when he puts pressure on Chas to get him his money, only for the Dingle to stall for time by threatening to tell Lexi about their kiss if he doesn't back off.
Soap stories: All going black for poor Carl; EMMERDALE MONDAY, STV, 7pm
Nabil Abu Rudeina, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, said that "the entire world sees the need for the establishment of a Palestinian state, but unfortunately Israel continues to stall for time and is displaying a lack of seriousness, and so far we have not agreed on any of the core issues."
Abbas aide slams Israel
Planners suspect Pulte, a Michigan-based homebuilder with offices across the country, is using the monthly tactic to stall for time while the clock ticks away on a deadline for the town to raise $2.4 million to preserve the 62 acres of farmland.
Planners charge developer stalling; Clock ticking on Clinton land buy
Every trick in the book is used to stall for time - from the drink of water scam to the "just one more story" plea.
The bedtime nightmare..
The Late Payment of Commercial Debts (Interest) Act 1998 is designed as a deterrent and the right to charge for the wasted efforts spent chasing unpaid bills should make slack payers think twice before trying to stall for time.
Problems of late payments
Making the same mistake twice is not in Murray's nature and van Bronckhorst now knows he won't be allowed to stall for time as he seeks pastures new.
Football: Gio will have to sign up
In its Comment/Opposition to Estrada's omnibus motion that sought lifting of the freeze order of the graft court, the prosecution described the Senator's pleading as "no more than another attempt to delay proceedings and stall for time."
Jinggoy scored for 'delaying tactics'