Staller

A 'staller' is an individual or entity who intentionally delays or obstructs a process, event, or project, often to gain an advantage, buy time, or cause frustration to others. This obstruction can be subtle or overt and is usually characterized by procrastination, inaction, or the introduction of unnecessary hurdles. Stallers may employ tactics such as delaying decisions, providing incomplete information, setting unreasonable deadlines, or creating administrative bottlenecks. The motivation for stalling can vary widely, ranging from simple indecisiveness to more complex strategic maneuvers or malicious intent. Understanding the context and intent behind a stalling action is crucial to effectively address the problem and mitigate its negative consequences.

Staller meaning with examples

• The construction company was accused of being a 'staller' after consistently missing deadlines and citing a series of 'unforeseen' problems with the building permits. Their constant delays irked the clients and pushed the project far behind schedule. The city officials felt the company was deliberately slowing down the process to renegotiate the initial contract terms, leading to increased costs for the client.
• In negotiations, the opposing counsel was a notorious 'staller', often requesting multiple extensions for review and deliberation before responding. They would deliberately postpone the necessary documentation which prolonged proceedings, hoping to exhaust the other party and force a less favorable settlement. This approach made progress slow, making an amicable agreement an uphill battle.
• During the launch of their new product, the marketing team suspected their main competitor was acting as a 'staller' by filing frivolous patent challenges. This made the public feel the product was unsafe. The resulting challenges were designed to delay the product launch and create doubt in consumers, effectively reducing market share before the product could reach consumers.
• The committee formed to investigate the corruption allegations was accused of being 'stallers', having taken an extended time to conduct their review, missing numerous deadlines, and providing only minimal updates to the public. Their lengthy delays fueled speculation that they were protecting individuals with power, rather than pursuing the truth.