The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word TEMPORISE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
T
E
M
P
O
R
I
S
E
More clues leading to the result TEMPORISE
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "to play for time" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case to play for time = temporise.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does TEMPORISE mean?
TEMPORISE verb- To deliberately act evasively or prolong a discussion in order to gain time or postpone a decision, sometimes in order to reach a compromise or simply to make a conversation more temperate; to stall for time.
- To apply a temporary piece of dental work that will later be removed.
- To comply with the time or occasion; to humor, or yield to, the current of opinion or circumstances; also, to trim, as between two parties.
- To delay; to procrastinate.
- To comply; to agree.