gaining time

Verb

gain time (third-person singular simple present gains time, present participle gaining time, simple past and past participle gained time)

1. (idiomatic, intransitive) To cause a delay by a circuitous mode of procedure in order to obtain more time than is available.
2. To make up time lost; of a clock or watch, to run fast.
   • My opportunity to see what one of these engines could do came when we left Ballymoney on the train from Derry eight minutes late: No. 53 and her crew tore the schedule to shreds and reached Belfast six minutes early, having gained time on every section.1959 June, R. A. Young, “A Railway Holiday in Ireland—2”, in Railway Magazine, page 420

   Antonyms:

   lose time

See all 3 meanings of gain time