While editing a document for a client recently, I came across the phrase “buying time”. While the phrase is completely normal, in this context, it should’ve been “biding time”. So what’s the difference?
Biding time
To bide means to wait, so biding one’s time is just another way of saying “to wait” or “to be patient”.
She’s biding her time until a job opens up.
Buying time
To buy time, on the other hand, means to postpone something or to stall.
His partner wasn’t here yet, so he tried buying time by jumping on the desk and singing.
Memory tip: You “buy” time because you need more of it.
What other words do you confuse? Let me know in the comments below.
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By Kim Siever
I am a copywriter and copyeditor. I blog on writing and social media tips mostly, but I sometimes throw in my thoughts about running a small business.
Follow me on Twitter at @hotpepper.
