Mark time意思

"Mark time" is a military term that refers to a marching command where soldiers march in place without moving forward, keeping time by lifting their feet off the ground in unison with the rhythm of the march. This command is used to maintain discipline, focus, and coordination within a marching unit, especially when waiting for further orders or when confined to a small space where forward movement is not possible.

In a broader sense, "mark time" can also mean to pause or stop temporarily, especially in a situation where continuous progress is expected or required. It can be used metaphorically to indicate a pause or a temporary halt in any ongoing activity or process, allowing for a moment to assess the situation or to wait for something before continuing.