'What do you mean?' she asked, stalling for time.

“你这是什么意思？”她问，故意拖延着时间。

《牛津词典》

From the hall the clock calling out the quarter hour, then a moment of stillness - time stalling - before, faintly, the clock in her study responded.

客厅传来钟表敲打刻点的声音，接下来是短暂的静止——时间的停止，直到书房里的钟表微弱地做出了回应。

youdao

I think they are stalling for time.

我想他们正在拖时间。

youdao

The deadline will make clear whether, as some of his critics have said, Mr Assad is simply stalling for time, our correspondent adds.

BBC: Syria 'agrees' to peace plan deadline, Annan tells UN

But Iran has sent mixed signals about Moscow's proposal for a possible joint venture to enrich uranium, fueling speculation it's stalling for time.

NPR: Iran, Russia Prepare for Talks on Nuclear Fuel

In short, the government may end up stalling for time.

ECONOMIST: Charlemagne