play for time

arrest control curb halt prevent reduce stop

baffle bar bit bottleneck bridle checkmate choke circumvent constrain counteract delay discourage foil frustrate harness hold impede inhibit interrupt limit moderate neutralize obstruct obviate pause preclude rebuff repress repulse retard snub squelch stay suppress tame terminate thwart withhold

cut short hold back hold down hold in keep back nip in the bud rein in slacken pace slow down

aid allow assist continue encourage help let go

abet advance approve facilitate forward free permit release

expedite indulge liberate

dawdle hesitate

dally drag lag linger loiter pause prolong protract stall stay tarry temporize wait

be dilatory defer drag one's feet give the runaround goldbrick hang fire hold off let slide play a waiting game postpone shilly-shally suspend

abbreviate advance carry out complete continue do expedite finish forge forward further go hasten help hurry leave persist push rush shorten

accelerate go ahead quicken

halt hamper hinder interrupt postpone put off slow stay stop suspend

arrest brake check die equivocate fence filibuster hedge prevaricate quibble stand still stonewall tarry temporize

avoid the issue beat around the bush drag one's feet hold off not move shut down slow down stand off stand still take one's time

advance aid allow assist carry out continue do encourage expedite forward help permit promote push

further