Marking time (4)
I believe the answer is:
idle
'marking time' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for idle that I've seen before include "Good-for-nothing" , "-- Jack, pantomime character" , "Indolent" , "Member of comedy team" , "Lied about being lazy or not working" .)