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Glite Dictionary
to run down the clock

to run down the clock

1 6.7
Use extra time on purpose so the other side cannot act
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : consumir el tiempo
  • Montero left for David Estrada as Schmid wisely ran down the clock with his side holding out under heavy pressure.

So there are there are two major events that help Biden run down the clock.

Examples

  • Because humanity has long since run down the clock on climate change.

  • Odds are good that she's just trying to run down the clock until the social contract says that she can leave without causing offense.

    Blog text (9)

  • We can run down the clock and score two to win it.

    Spirit of the Game (2016)

  • Because humanity has long since run down the clock on climate change.

  • And he's running down the clock.

    Spirit of the Game (2016)

  • Tannehill takes a knee, and that will run down the clock.

    Blog text (28)

  • An interception stopped the play in its tracks, letting the Trojans run down the clock for the win.

    Blog text (3)

  • Obama and Romney oddly ran down the clock themselves.

    Blog text (26)

  • She's now claiming that she is still seeking further assurances, while all the time running down the clock on the alternatives.

  • With only seconds left in the game, the team decided to run down the clock to secure their victory.

Synonyms

to buy time
vsto run down the clock
23 4.1

To delay something on purpose to get more time to prepare

deliberately uses time to block the other side and gain advantage
to stall for time
vsto run down the clock
  • Informal
6 4.8

To delay doing something to get more time

deliberately uses time to stop opponents from acting and gain advantage
to play for time
vsto run down the clock
  • Informal
4 5.0

To delay on purpose to get more time before deciding or acting

deliberately uses time to prevent the opposing side acting and gain advantage
to temporize
vsto run down the clock
  • Formal
2 9.3

To delay making a decision to gain time or avoid conflict

deliberately wastes time to stop the other side acting and gain advantage
to gain time
vsto run down the clock
1 6.1

Delay something on purpose to have more time before a decision

deliberately uses remaining time to prevent opponents acting and gain advantage

Antonyms

to hurry
∞ 1.0

To move or act quickly because there is little time

to seize the opportunity
10 3.9

Act quickly to use a good chance

How Long

to drag out
  • Informal
23 5.1
to run down the clock
1 6.7
to stall
166 4.3
to delay
562 1.4

Surface Forms

run down the clock infinitive
running down the clock present participle
runs down the clock third person singular
ran down the clock past
ran down the clock past participle

Morphology

run + down + the + clock

The meaning is partially derivable: 'run down' can mean to reduce or exhaust and 'clock' denotes time, so a learner could infer reducing the time on the clock. However, the specific pragmatic nuance—deliberately wasting time to gain an advantage in a game—is tied to a sports idiom and the phrasal-verb sense of 'run down', which is polysemous and may not be fully predictable without exposure.

Etymology

The expression run down the clock comes from sports games with a clock. Imagine a team holding the ball and moving slowly so the clock keeps running and they run down the time until very little is left. That's why it means 'to use up time on purpose'.