buy time crossword – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Answercrossword.com, your ultimate resource for solving challenging crossword puzzles! Here, you'll find comprehensive answers and detailed explanations for the clue "buy time crossword," designed to help you complete your grid quickly and efficiently.
Solutions for "buy time crossword" by Letter Count
5 Letters
STALL: To delay or postpone an action or decision, often to gain time or avoid something immediately.
DELAY: To put off until a later time; to cause to be slow or late, effectively extending a period before an event.
More About "buy time crossword"
The phrase "buy time" is a common idiom meaning to take action that creates a delay, allowing one more time to think, prepare, or for a situation to change. In the context of crosswords, clues like "buy time" often lead to concise single-word answers that capture the essence of the idiom, making them a favorite among puzzle setters.
Understanding such idiomatic expressions is key to mastering crosswords. "Buy time" perfectly illustrates how a multi-word concept can be distilled into a shorter, more direct verb. Recognizing this pattern helps solvers quickly identify potential answers like STALL or DELAY, which are frequently used as synonyms for this particular action.
When you encounter similar clues, always consider the core meaning of the idiom rather than a literal interpretation. This approach can unlock many tricky clues and speed up your puzzle-solving process significantly.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Analyze the Clue's Core Meaning: For idiomatic phrases like "buy time," strip away the figurative language and focus on the action or concept it represents (e.g., delaying, postponing).
- Consider Synonyms and Antonyms: Once you have the core concept, brainstorm synonyms that fit the required letter count. Sometimes, thinking of antonyms can also spark ideas.
- Look at Cross-References: If the clue is challenging, fill in surrounding letters first. These often provide crucial hints or confirm parts of the answer.
- Practice with Common Idioms: Familiarize yourself with frequently used idioms. Many puzzles reuse common phrases and their one-word equivalents.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the phrase "buy time" mean in general usage?
To "buy time" means to do something that makes it possible to delay an event or decision, often to prepare better, find a solution, or wait for a more opportune moment. It implies gaining extra time through an action.
Why is 'buy time' a common crossword clue?
'Buy time' is a popular crossword clue because it's an idiomatic expression with several concise, direct synonyms like STALL or DELAY that fit well into various grid lengths. Crossword setters often look for such multi-word phrases that condense into single-word answers.
What are common strategies for solving idiom-based crossword clues?
When encountering idiom-based clues, consider synonyms for the core concept of the idiom. For 'buy time,' think about words related to delaying, postponing, or gaining an advantage through waiting. Also, pay attention to the required letter count, as it can narrow down possibilities. Sometimes, a common single word encapsulates the entire idiomatic meaning.