English

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, Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc, ch. 20:

     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, The Little Nugget, ch. 14:

     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, Tony Karon, "New Violence Deepens Sharon's Crisis," Time, 20 Feb.:

     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

References

• waiting game at OneLook Dictionary Search