marks time

The child who has got languages from its governess, therefore, marks time—that is to say, wastes time in these subjects at school.

The medium simply marks time without advancing; and little but sterile results are secured.

A man in front with strings of shells on his ankles and wrists, with which he marks time, acts as fugel-man.

The engineer, who presides over the whole operation, stands upright upon the knees of the statue and "marks time" with his hands.

The beat of the three horses' hoofs sounds like the drum that marks time to the chime upon their backs.