Not going anywhere

• Sputtered, as an engine
• Stopped suddenly, as an engine
• At a standstill
• Temporarily conked out
• Bought time
• Played for time
• Hemmed and hawed
• Needing a push

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Stall \Stall\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Stalled (st[add]ld); p. pr. & vb. n. Stalling .] [Cf. Sw. stalla, Dan. stalde.] To put into a stall or stable; to keep in a stall or stalls; as, to stall an ox. Where King Latinus then his oxen stalled. --Dryden. To fatten; ...