temporizer

/'tempəraizə/
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Thân thiện
Definition

Noun: A person who deliberately delays making a decision or taking action, typically by being evasive or vague, in order to gain time or wait for a more favorable opportunity. A temporizer avoids committing to a definite course of action.

Examples
  • The manager was known as a temporizer, always asking for more reports instead of making the difficult choice.
  • In the crisis, we needed a leader, but we got a temporizer who kept postponing the meeting.
  • His reputation as a temporizer frustrated his colleagues, who wanted clear answers.
Advanced Usage
  • Political Context: Often used to describe politicians or diplomats who avoid taking a firm stand on controversial issues to avoid alienating any group.
    • The senator was accused of being a temporizer who shifted his position based on the latest polls.
  • Strategic Delay: Can imply a cunning or prudent strategy of waiting for circumstances to change.
    • Some historians view him not as weak but as a shrewd temporizer who waited for his enemies to make the first mistake.
Variants and Related Words
  • Temporize (verb): To act evasively in order to gain time or delay a decision.
    • He chose to temporize rather than give a direct refusal.
  • Temporizing (adjective/noun): Describing or related to the act of delaying.
    • Her temporizing answer left everyone uncertain.
Synonyms
  • Procrastinator: Someone who habitually puts things off.
  • Hedger: Someone who avoids making a clear statement.
  • Delayer: Someone who causes a postponement.
  • Vacillator: Someone who wavers between different opinions or actions.
Antonyms
  • Decisive person
  • Go-getter
  • Man/Woman of action
Related Idioms and Phrases
  • To play for time: To act in a way that causes delay, similar to the behavior of a temporizer.
    • He didn't know the answer, so he asked complex questions to play for time.
  • To sit on the fence: To avoid making a decision or choosing a side.
    • The councilor was criticized for sitting on the fence during the crucial debate.
Noun
  1. someone who temporizes; someone who tries to gain time or who waits for a favorable time

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