waiting game
C1Informal, sometimes idiomatic
Definition
Meaning
A strategy of deliberately delaying action or making no move, forcing another party to act first, typically to gain an advantage.
Any situation where success depends primarily on patience and the passage of time rather than active intervention; a period of strategic inaction.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Almost always used with the definite article 'the' (e.g., 'playing the waiting game'). It conceptualizes patience or inaction as a tactical move in a contest.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the term identically.
Connotations
Connotes strategy, patience, and sometimes psychological warfare. Can imply frustration for the party being waited on.
Frequency
Common in both varieties, with similar frequency in political, business, and everyday contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] is playing the waiting game.It's a waiting game.[Subject] adopted a waiting game on [Issue].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Play a waiting game”
- “Bide one's time”
- “Hold your horses”
- “Let the dust settle”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In merger negotiations, we're playing the waiting game to see if their share price falls further.
Academic
The researcher described the Cold War as a protracted geopolitical waiting game.
Everyday
With the baby overdue, it's just a waiting game now.
Technical
In game theory, a waiting game can be modelled as a war of attrition.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The negotiators decided to wait and see, essentially playing the waiting game.
- He's waiting them out, a classic waiting game tactic.
American English
- The company is playing the waiting game on that acquisition offer.
- We'll just wait them out—it's a waiting game.
adjective
British English
- The waiting-game strategy ultimately paid off for the home side.
- We're in a waiting-game phase of the project.
American English
- Their waiting-game approach is frustrating the opposition.
- It's a waiting-game situation until the market stabilizes.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The traffic was terrible, so it was just a waiting game.
- We played the waiting game at the doctor's surgery.
- In the property market, sometimes the best tactic is a waiting game.
- The two sides are playing a waiting game, each hoping the other will concede first.
- The diplomat advocated a strategic waiting game, believing the sanctions would force the regime to negotiate.
- Investors adopted a waiting-game posture, withholding capital until post-election volatility subsided.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine two chess players staring at the board, neither making a move. They are 'playing' a game where the only rule is 'wait'.
Conceptual Metaphor
PATIENCE/INACTION IS A STRATEGIC CONTEST (A GAME).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation as 'игра ожидания'. The standard equivalent is 'тактика выжидания'.
- Do not confuse with 'a game of waiting' which is not idiomatic.
Common Mistakes
- Using without 'the' (e.g., 'playing waiting game' - INCORRECT).
- Confusing it with simply 'waiting' without the strategic connotation.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary implication of 'playing the waiting game'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it can imply frustration for one party, it is often a neutral or positive strategic choice for the party employing it, suggesting patience and clever timing.
Yes. It is common in everyday situations like waiting for test results, a baby's birth, or a decision from someone, where active action is impossible.
'Playing hard to get' is specifically about romantic or social disinterest to increase attraction. 'A waiting game' is a broader strategic delay used in negotiations, conflicts, or any situation where timing is key.
No. The standard collocation is 'play the waiting game'. Other verbs like 'adopt' or 'employ' are possible, but 'play' is by far the most common.