waiting game

English

Pronunciation

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Noun

waiting game (plural waiting games)

1. (idiomatic) A strategy or course of action in which one or more parties refrain from direct action until circumstances change in their favor.
   • 1896, Mark Twain, chapter 20, in Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc:

     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."

   • 1913, P. G. Wodehouse, chapter 14, in The Little Nugget:

     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.

   • 1914, Jack London, “The Siege of the Lancashire Queen,”, in Tales of the Fish Patrol:

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

   • 2002 February 20, Tony Karon, “New Violence Deepens Sharon's Crisis”, in Time:

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

Usage notes

• Often preceded by the verb play.

Translations

strategy of refraining from action until circumstances change

• Finnish: odotuspeli
• Italian: temporeggiare (it), tergiversare (it)

References

• “waiting game”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.