defer the question

USAGE SUMMARY

"defer the question" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is most commonly used when an individual wishes to postpone or delay answering a question. For example: "Rather than try to answer the question off the top of my head, I'd like to defer the question until I have had time to research it further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Perhaps the rest of us are lucky that we get to defer the question.

Independent

On Friday, Trump said he would defer the question of Kushner's access to his chief of staff.

The Washington Post

At the time, Trump said he would defer the question of Kushner's access to his chief of staff.

The Washington Post

That makes it much easier for Mr Blair once again to defer the question of euro-membership.In part, Britain's continuing influence in the EU is simply a reflection of legal realities.

The Economist

If A.I. and biotechnology deliver even half of what the visionaries believe is in store, then we can no longer defer the question of what sort of human beings we want to be, both as individuals, and as a collective.

The New York Times

Shipman's victims Stymied in Ulster Edging away William the unflappable Taking the Michael Scotland's new politics Tales from Telford Harsh truths Reprints Related items The Tory leader: William the unflappableFeb 3rd 2000In the past, Mr Blair has let it be known that he would regard it as an "abdication of responsibility" endlessly to defer the question of British membership of the euro.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Addressing reporters during the Knicks' morning shootaround, Lin at first deferred the question to Woodson.

The New York Times

Initially, her spokesman, Nick Merrill, deferred the question to her publisher, Simon & Schuster, whose representative also punted.

The Guardian - Books

But the House Democratic leadership blinked on the issue of setting tough new automobile and truck mileage rules, deferring the question to a conference committee with the Senate later this year.

The New York Times

President Clinton may have deferred the question of whether to build a national missile defense system to his successor, but opponents of such a system are not satisfied.

The New York Times

But some developing countries have also admitted they were open to a fudge – deferring the question of Kyoto's future to next year's climate summit in South Africa.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "defer the question" when you genuinely need more time or information to provide a complete and accurate response. It signals professionalism and a commitment to quality over immediacy.

Common error

Avoid using "defer the question" as a habitual tactic to dodge uncomfortable or challenging subjects. This can erode trust and create the impression that you are evasive or unprepared.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defer the question" functions as a verbal expression, used to indicate the act of postponing or redirecting a response. It is commonly employed in situations where a direct answer is not immediately possible or appropriate, as supported by examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

16%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "defer the question" is a phrase used to indicate a postponement or redirection of a response. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase as grammatically correct and usable in English. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral to professional tone. It's essential to use this phrase judiciously, avoiding overuse to dodge difficult subjects. Alternative phrases like "postpone the answer" or "delay addressing the issue" can provide variety. The phrase is most effective when a genuine need for more information or consultation exists before providing an answer.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defer the response

A direct synonym, replacing "question" with "response" to broaden the scope.

postpone the answer

This alternative suggests a temporary delay in providing a response.

hold off on responding

Similar to postponing, but with a sense of waiting for a more appropriate time.

put off answering

Implies procrastination in responding to the query.

delay addressing the issue

Focuses on delaying the handling of a specific problem or topic rather than directly answering a question.

sidestep the inquiry

Suggests evading or avoiding the question without a direct refusal to answer.

redirect the query

Indicates shifting the focus of the question to another subject or person.

pass the question to someone else

Indicates transferring the responsibility of answering to another person.

table the discussion

This phrase suggests postponing the entire discussion, not just the answer.

reserve comment at this time

Suggests withholding an answer, often temporarily, without explicitly postponing it.

FAQs

What does it mean to "defer the question"?

To "defer the question" means to postpone answering it, usually because you need more time, information, or want someone else to answer it.

When is it appropriate to "defer the question"?

It's appropriate to "defer the question" when you lack sufficient information to provide a complete answer, need to consult with others, or believe another person is better suited to respond.

What are some alternatives to "defer the question"?

You can use alternatives like "postpone the answer", "delay addressing the issue", or "redirect the query" depending on the specific context.

How can I "defer the question" politely?

You can politely "defer the question" by acknowledging the importance of the query and explaining your reason for needing to postpone the answer. For example, "That's an important question, and I want to give it the attention it deserves. Can I get back to you with a more thorough response tomorrow?"