delay the discussion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "delay the discussion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to postpone or defer a conversation or debate on a particular topic. Example: "Due to time constraints, we will need to delay the discussion on the budget until next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

By doing a convertible note we can delay the discussion until we figure out how big this is going to be".

TechCrunch

She refused to back down from her religious beliefs, but she agreed to delay the discussion until a later date.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Everything has to move quickly because delaying the discussion and delaying the disbursement of the [next tranche] does not help the real economy.

The Guardian - Business

Delaying the discussion until the patient is too sick to speak for herself and expecting others to act as surrogate decision makers not only places an unwanted burden on many family members but also violates the core ethical principle of autonomy.

The New York Times

Demands by the FSA that the Co-op strengthen its systems and board are thought to be delaying the discussions, which are taking place because the EU has demanded the branches be sold as a result of the £20bn of taxpayer assistance pumped into Lloyds during the banking crisis.

The Guardian - Business

Facing a lawsuit, the A.C.C. presidents could also decide to delay the expansion discussion or to abandon it altogether if universities that were reluctant about the expansion opt out now.

The New York Times - Sports

A rescue would also delay the group's discussion of Very Important Issues.

The New York Times

Rachel Azaria, the lawmaker who sponsored the legislation, said in a statement she agreed to delay the committee's discussion by a week so that "we could work with the churches" to try to resolve the dispute.

Huffington Post

Not surprisingly, Africa Confidential reports that China is pushing to delay the Security Council's discussion of the report, and that there may be efforts to water down its recommendations.

Huffington Post

After several minutes of discussion, Durgin agreed to delay the start of Heidi until after the game was completed.

Wikipedia

That is why we cannot delay this discussion any longer.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "delay the discussion" when you need to postpone a conversation, negotiation, or debate to a later time. Ensure the reason for the delay is justified and communicated clearly to avoid misunderstandings or frustrations.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that you will "delay the discussion" without providing a reason or a timeframe for when the discussion will resume. This can lead to uncertainty and dissatisfaction among participants.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delay the discussion" functions as a verb phrase where "delay" is the main verb and "the discussion" is the direct object. It indicates the action of postponing a specific conversation or debate. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "delay the discussion" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to postpone a conversation or debate to a later time. While generally neutral in tone, its frequency is considered uncommon. When using this phrase, it's best to provide a clear reason for the postponement to avoid confusion or frustration. Alternatives like "postpone the debate" or "defer the conversation" offer similar meanings, allowing for nuanced communication. Understanding its function, purpose, and register can help writers use "delay the discussion" effectively in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postpone the debate

Replaces "discussion" with "debate", emphasizing a more formal or structured conversation.

defer the conversation

Uses "defer" instead of "delay", implying a respectful postponement.

hold off on the discussion

Employs a phrasal verb to suggest temporarily preventing the discussion from happening.

suspend the dialogue

Replaces "discussion" with "dialogue" and uses "suspend", indicating a temporary cessation.

table the matter

A more formal idiom meaning to postpone consideration of a topic.

put off the conversation

Uses "put off" as a more informal substitute for "delay", applicable in casual contexts.

shelve the topic

Suggests setting aside the topic, potentially indefinitely.

adjourn the meeting

Implies postponing a formal meeting or discussion to a later time.

postpone addressing the issue

Specifies that the action being delayed is "addressing the issue" instead of a general discussion.

delay addressing the subject

Specifies that the action being delayed is "addressing the subject" instead of a general discussion.

FAQs

What does "delay the discussion" mean?

To "delay the discussion" means to postpone or put off a conversation or debate until a later time. It implies that the discussion will happen eventually, but not immediately.

What are some alternatives to saying "delay the discussion"?

You can use alternatives such as "postpone the debate", "defer the conversation", or "hold off on the discussion", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to "delay the discussion"?

It's appropriate to "delay the discussion" when there is insufficient information, time constraints, or a need for further preparation before engaging in the conversation.

What is the difference between "delay the discussion" and "cancel the discussion"?

"Delay the discussion" implies that the conversation is postponed and will occur at a later time, whereas "cancel the discussion" means that the conversation is called off and will not happen at all.