mark time
if soldiers mark time, they move their legs as if they were marching, but remain in the same place

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

mark time
to do something which is not very interesting while you are waiting to start doing something more important.
She's just marking time in her father's shop until it's time to go to university.
(usually in continuous tenses)

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

mark time
1. • mark time
be idle, wait for something to happen
He has been marking time for over a month now as he waits to hear about the new job.

2. • mark time (to music)
move one's feet up and down to music
He was marking time to the music as he was driving his car.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

mark time
v. phr.
1. To move the feet up and down as in marching, but not going forward.
The officer made the soldiers mark time as a punishment.
2. To be idle; waiting for something to happen.
The teacher marked time until all the children were ready for the test.
3. To seem to be working or doing something, but really not doing it.
It was so hot that the workmen just marked time.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲