buy time
(redirected from buy one time)buy time
To stall or delay in order to gain more time to do something. A noun, pronoun, or reflexive pronoun can be used between "buy" and "time," as can words like "more" and "some." I'm so sorry I'm running late to the party, but I'm almost there now—buy me some time so that I don't miss the cake-cutting! It's just such a big decision. What can we say to the bank to buy ourselves more time? I'll do my best to buy some time, but you need to get here soon—the press won't wait forever.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
buy time
to postpone an event hoping that the situation will improve. You are just stalling to buy time. Maybe I can buy some time by asking the judge for a continuance.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
buy time
Increase the time available for a specific purpose. For example, Renting an apartment buys them time to look around for a new house.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
buy (yourself) time
If someone buys time or buys themselves time, they do something to give themselves more time. Knight was buying time while he considered his next move. He summoned the waiter, placed the order, and bought himself the time he needed.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
buy time
adopt tactics which delay an event temporarily so as to have longer to improve your own position.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
buy ˈtime
delay something that seems about to happen: This treatment can buy time for the patient, but I’m afraid it will not cure him.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
buy time
To increase the time available for a specific purpose: "A moderate recovery thus buys time for Congress and the Administration to whittle the deficit" (G. David Wallace).
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.