defer it for now

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defer it for now" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when suggesting to postpone a decision or action until a later time. Example: "Let's defer it for now and revisit the topic in our next meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It just defers it for a certain period of time.

The New York Times

Opponents to the DREAM have successfully deferred it for a decade, but when does deferred become denied?

Huffington Post

Tax advisers for wealthy people who have some control over the timing of their income are advising them to take the income now, rather than to defer it to next year.

The New York Times

No. Or will parting be any easier for us if I defer it?

The New Yorker

For now, she says, the best way to manage debt is to defer it.

The Washington Post

Can I Defer it?

HuffPost

Mr. Trump should either defer the decision for now, or combine it with a carefully planned diplomatic initiative to resolve Jerusalem first.

The New York Times

It has also allowed the Obama administration to defer, for now, calls for the United States to act more forcefully to intervene in the Syrian conflict.

The New York Times

But since this larger objection is most clearly expounded and defended in the Prolegomena and the "Refutation of Idealism" added to the second edition of the Critique, which is inserted into the Transcendental Analytic, discussion of it can be deferred for now.

SEP

How quickly, and how precisely, are questions the agency can defer for now.

Harvard University

I was accepted to the Berklee School of Music in Boston, but they are allowing me to defer for now so I can truly pursue my singing career". 1.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "defer it for now" when you need to postpone a decision or action without completely discarding it. It indicates a temporary delay with the intent to revisit the matter later.

Common error

Avoid using "defer it for now" if the intention is to permanently cancel or abandon the issue. This phrase specifically implies a temporary delay, not a complete dismissal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defer it for now" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the postponement of an action or decision. While no exact matches are found, Ludwig suggests the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "defer it for now" is a grammatically correct and commonly understood expression used to indicate a temporary postponement. Although Ludwig has confirmed the grammatical correctness, there were no exact matches in the provided search data. However the phrase's components appear in reputable sources. This suggests it is acceptable in a variety of contexts, with the understanding that it implies a future reconsideration of the matter at hand. While alternatives exist that offer slightly different nuances, the phrase effectively communicates the intention of delaying something without dismissing it entirely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Postpone it for the moment

Replaces "defer" with "postpone" and "now" with "for the moment", offering a slight variation in phrasing.

Delay it for a while

Offers a simple and general way to express the idea of postponing something for an unspecified period.

Put it off until later

Uses a more informal and direct wording to convey the same meaning of delaying something.

Hold it back for the time being

Emphasizes temporarily withholding something, which implies deferral.

Table it for future consideration

Suggests formally setting aside a topic or item for later discussion or action.

Put it on ice for now

Uses an idiom to suggest holding something back, often with the intention of revisiting it later.

Shelve it temporarily

Implies putting something aside, often with the intention of revisiting it later.

Set it aside for the interim

Implies a temporary setting aside of something, usually until a specific period has passed.

Suspend it for the present

Indicates a temporary cessation or postponement of something.

Adjourn it until further notice

Suggests a formal postponement, often used in meetings or official contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "defer it for now" in a sentence?

You can use "defer it for now" when you want to postpone a discussion or action to a later time. For example, "Let's "defer it for now" and revisit the topic in our next meeting".

What does "defer it for now" mean?

"Defer it for now" means to postpone something until a later time. It implies a temporary delay, suggesting that the matter will be addressed in the future.

What are some alternatives to "defer it for now"?

You can use alternatives like "postpone it for the moment", "put it off until later", or "hold it back for the time being".

Is "defer it for now" formal or informal?

"Defer it for now" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal settings, depending on the context. More formal alternatives might include "table it for future consideration".