play for time to try to delay something so that you have more time to prepare for it or prevent it from happening为争取时间而拖延:•The rebels may be playing for time while they try to get more weapons.叛乱分子可能在拖延时间，想搞到更多的武器。 play for time use specious excuses or unnecessary manoeuvres to gain time （以似是而非的理由或不必要的手法）争取时间。 play for time拖延时间(以避免失败)：They knew clearly about their unfavourable situation，so they tried their best to play for time.他们很清楚他们的不利处境，所以他们尽量拖延时间。 |