Meaning of 'Merely playing for time'

English as a Second Language English Teacher Explanations (ESL Tests)
1

Test No. [color=blue]incompl/advan-14 “Time Expressions (2)”, question 3

My opinion is that they don’t know what to do and are merely playing … time.

(a) to
(b) for
(c) at
(d) in

Test No. [color=blue]incompl/advan-14 “Time Expressions (2)”, answer 3

My opinion is that they don’t know what to do and are merely playing for time.

Correct answer: (b) for

Hi Alan and Torsten! Explain me, please! …Merely playing for time…

Thank you

Ariadna

2

Hi,

Just waiting to get extra time.

Alan

3

Hello Alan! Thank you!
Ariadna

4

How else do you say this? Gaining time? Is it correct?

5

Expressions with “for time”

-be hard pressed for time = be pushed for time
-be pressed for time
-i am pushed for time
-play for time =stall for time

6

for a time = stay somewhere for a time
…= I lived in Egypt for a time.

for some time= for a fairly long period

I worked in this school for some time.