debate for another day

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "debate for another day" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that a particular topic or issue will be discussed at a later time rather than immediately. Example: "While we have many opinions on the matter, let's save that debate for another day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

That is a debate for another day.

Nature

But all that became a debate for another day.

The Guardian - Sport

But that is probably a debate for another day.

The Guardian - Sport

Those of you who believe in divine revealed authority, that's a debate for another day.

Yale University

Whether cinema really is dying is a debate for another day.

The Guardian - Film

"This is a critical debate for another day," Mr. Paulson said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Not only did that not settle the debate, but it saved for another day the tangled question of what should come next.

The New York Times

As such, the Obama administration took steps towards improving the economic environment, including a broad-based stimulus package and support for homeowners (we can leave the debate on their efficacy for another day).

Huffington Post

But, that's another debate for a different day.

Huffington Post

Leave for another day the debate over where this game ranks in the annals of great Olympic hockey moments — though surely it falls somewhere below the 1980 "Miracle on Ice," right?

The Washington Post

But I'll save for another day the debate about what retirement provision for state and local workers should look like in the first place.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "debate for another day" to politely defer a topic when time is limited or other priorities take precedence. It suggests the topic is important but not immediately relevant.

Common error

Avoid using "debate for another day" simply to dodge difficult or uncomfortable conversations. Ensure you genuinely intend to revisit the topic later to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "debate for another day" functions as an idiomatic expression used to postpone a discussion or argument. It serves as a polite way to indicate that the current moment is not suitable for engaging in that particular topic.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Science & Research

8%

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "debate for another day" is a commonly used expression to politely postpone a discussion, as evidenced by its presence in various reputable sources. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread acceptability. While neutral in formality, it's crucial to use it genuinely and not as a mere avoidance tactic. Related phrases like "we can discuss this later" or "let's table this discussion" offer alternative ways to convey a similar message. This expression helps manage conversations effectively while acknowledging the topic's importance for future consideration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we can discuss this later

A simpler, more direct way of saying the discussion will happen at a future point.

defer the debate

Highlights the act of postponing the debate to a later time or date.

discussion postponed

Focuses on the action of delaying the discussion, rather than implying a future opportunity.

let's table this discussion

Suggests formally setting aside the discussion for later consideration.

address this at a later time

States the intention to handle the topic in the future, without specifying 'another day'.

we'll revisit this topic later

Emphasizes the act of returning to the subject at a future time.

leave it for later consideration

Formal way to express that the debate will be resumed afterwards.

hold that thought for now

Implies pausing the current line of thought, though not necessarily scheduling a future discussion.

put a pin in it

Informal way to say to save the discussion for later.

shelve the discussion

Implies putting the discussion away, perhaps indefinitely.

FAQs

How can I use "debate for another day" in a sentence?

You can use "debate for another day" to postpone a discussion. For example, "That's an interesting point, but perhaps that's a "debate for another day"." It's a polite way to suggest discussing it later.

What's a more formal alternative to "debate for another day"?

A more formal alternative could be "we can discuss this later" or "let's table this discussion". These phrases are suitable for professional settings.

When is it appropriate to use "debate for another day"?

It's appropriate when the current time isn't suitable for the discussion due to time constraints, a change in topic, or other priorities. It implies you're not dismissing the topic, just postponing it.

Is "debate for another day" considered informal?

While widely used, "debate for another day" leans towards neutral formality. It's acceptable in most contexts but avoid it in highly formal or academic writing where more precise language may be preferred.