間まを持もたす

expression, godan verb (-su)

fill in time; stall for time

Used when you need to occupy a gap in time, often in conversation or performance, by saying or doing something to avoid awkward silence. Similar to 間を持たせる, but 間を持たす is a slightly more casual or dialectal variant.

See also: 間を持たせる

• ゲストが来くるまで、ちょっとした話はなしで間まを持もたした。

  I filled in the time with small talk until the guest arrived.

• 司し会かい者しゃが冗じょう談だんを言いって間まを持もたす。

  The emcee tells jokes to stall for time.