gain time
idiom
: to cause something to be delayed so that more time is available to do what is needed
His lawyers are delaying the trial to gain time to prepare their defense.
Examples of gain time in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
At a minimum, hitting the brakes enabled officials in developing countries to assess the situation and gain time to come up with more nuanced approaches.
—
Robert Malley, Foreign Affairs, 8 June 2020
And as both sides continue to quarrel, ISIS will gain time and space to continue its global machinations.
—Aaron David Miller and
jason Brodsky, Foreign Affairs, 13 Jan. 2016
Using automation to gain time to grow the right way and hire the right people is a system that feeds into itself.
—Veronica Buitron, Forbes, 12 July 2022
Today, the new program’s participants learn about including systems, automation and people into their daily operations, but also how to change one’s mindset, keep up with technology, gain time management skills and learn how to balance a day job and a business.
—Detroit Free Press, 15 Apr. 2023
Chief Executive Officer Bob Jordan apologized again late Tuesday in a video posted by Southwest, saying the company reduced its schedule to gain time to reposition aircraft and crews.
—Ryan Beene, Fortune, 28 Dec. 2022
McCarthy understands that there will be pressure and back peddles to gain time to make the throw.
—Lance Reisland, cleveland, 1 Dec. 2022
By taking up more easily defensible positions, Russia could also gain time to absorb the 300,000 men recently mobilized to shore up its faltering campaign, analysts said.
—Isabel Coles, WSJ, 12 Nov. 2022
Inmates may receive gain time based on factors such as their behavior and taking part in work and programs.
—Jim Saunders, Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2022
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Robert Malley, Foreign Affairs, 8 June 2020
And as both sides continue to quarrel, ISIS will gain time and space to continue its global machinations.
—Aaron David Miller and
jason Brodsky, Foreign Affairs, 13 Jan. 2016
Using automation to gain time to grow the right way and hire the right people is a system that feeds into itself.
—Veronica Buitron, Forbes, 12 July 2022
Today, the new program’s participants learn about including systems, automation and people into their daily operations, but also how to change one’s mindset, keep up with technology, gain time management skills and learn how to balance a day job and a business.
—Detroit Free Press, 15 Apr. 2023
Chief Executive Officer Bob Jordan apologized again late Tuesday in a video posted by Southwest, saying the company reduced its schedule to gain time to reposition aircraft and crews.
—Ryan Beene, Fortune, 28 Dec. 2022
McCarthy understands that there will be pressure and back peddles to gain time to make the throw.
—Lance Reisland, cleveland, 1 Dec. 2022
By taking up more easily defensible positions, Russia could also gain time to absorb the 300,000 men recently mobilized to shore up its faltering campaign, analysts said.
—Isabel Coles, WSJ, 12 Nov. 2022
Inmates may receive gain time based on factors such as their behavior and taking part in work and programs.
—Jim Saunders, Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2022
Dictionary Entries Near gain time
Cite this Entry
“Gain time.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gain%20time. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share