Charles Ellicott Commentary Daniel 2:8

"The king answered and said, I know of a certainty that ye would gain time, because ye see the thing is gone from me." — Daniel 2:8 (ASV)

Gain time.— They hoped that by continual postponement they would induce the king to let the matter pass over; or, if not, that they might be able to wheedle the dream out of him.