Meaning of waiting game | Babel Free

Definitions

A strategy or course of action in which one or more parties refrain from direct action until circumstances change in their favor.

idiomatic

Equivalents

Examples

“to play⟳ the waiting game”

“[…] inasmuch as nothing was really and rationally to be hoped for but a long continuance of the siege and wearying out of the English, they were naturally a little afraid of Joan's impetuous notions. He said— “You see⟳, we are sure that the waiting game is the best, whereas you would carry⟳ everything by storm.””

“With Sam the only menace, I had been prepared to play⟳ a purely waiting game, watching proceedings from afar, ready to give⟳ my help⟳ if necessary.”

“It was a waiting game, and whichever waited the longer was bound to win⟳.”

“I hear⟳ a voice but it's not yours / I count⟳ the score⟳ / I can't go on playing the waiting game”

“Arafat and Sharon have⟳ both been playing a waiting game since the Israeli leader's election a year ago.”

CEFR level