delay the inevitable

USAGE SUMMARY

"delay the inevitable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is unavoidable or destined to happen, but can be postponed. For example: "Despite our attempts to delay the inevitable, disaster struck."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

The Guardian - Arts

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

These paintings delay the inevitable.

The Guardian - Arts

Many experts now say that bailouts only delay the inevitable.

The New York Times

But that would merely delay the inevitable crash.

The Economist

In the end, it may only delay the inevitable.

The New York Times - Sports

Again, it only seems to delay the inevitable.

The Guardian - Sport

But they agreed the decision may only delay the inevitable.

The New York Times

It seems designed only to delay the inevitable.

The Guardian

Remaining there as referees will only delay the inevitable.

The New York Times

But the best that the French president can hope for is to delay the inevitable.

The Economist

Mr Towers's coup looks like a brave attempt to delay the inevitable.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

These actions might give the illusion of serving a superpower's global interests, but only delay the inevitable--the necessity of a more democratic and humane regime.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "delay the inevitable" to describe situations where an outcome is certain but can be temporarily postponed. This phrase is effective when emphasizing the futility of resistance.

Common error

Avoid using "delay the inevitable" when there is a possibility of completely preventing the outcome. This phrase is appropriate only when the outcome is certain, regardless of any delaying actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delay the inevitable" functions as a verb phrase, often used as part of a larger clause. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Social Media

1%

Reference

0%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "delay the inevitable" is a common expression used to describe the act of postponing an outcome that is considered unavoidable. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in a variety of contexts, most notably in news and media. The phrase suggests that while actions can be taken to postpone an outcome, ultimately, it is destined to occur. It is crucial to use this phrase accurately, ensuring the outcome in question is genuinely unavoidable rather than merely difficult to prevent. Alternatives such as "postpone the unavoidable", "stall the approaching end", and "defer the certain conclusion" offer nuanced ways to express this concept, each with subtle differences in emphasis and tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postpone the unavoidable

Replaces "inevitable" with a synonym, focusing on the act of delaying something that cannot be avoided.

put off the destined event

Substitutes "inevitable" with "destined" and uses "event" to specify the outcome, suggesting a predetermined fate.

stall the approaching end

Focuses on the finality implied by "inevitable", replacing it with "approaching end" to emphasize the temporal aspect.

defer the certain conclusion

Uses "defer" to mean postpone and "certain conclusion" to highlight the assuredness of the outcome.

hold back the impending doom

Replaces "inevitable" with "impending doom" to add a sense of gravity and negativity to the unavoidable outcome.

retard the coming crisis

Employs "retard" to suggest slowing down and "coming crisis" to point out an unavoidable negative event.

impede the unavoidable outcome

Substitutes "delay" with "impede" to mean hinder and "inevitable" with "unavoidable outcome" to emphasize inescapability.

prolong the unavoidable

Uses "prolong" instead of "delay", emphasizing the extension of time before the inevitable occurs.

forestall the predestined

Similar to "put off the destined event" but uses "forestall" to emphasize preventing something in advance.

mitigate the unavoidable consequence

Focuses on reducing the severity of the outcome rather than just postponing it.

FAQs

How can I use "delay the inevitable" in a sentence?

You can use "delay the inevitable" to describe situations where an outcome is certain but can be temporarily postponed. For example, "The company's restructuring efforts only "delay the inevitable" bankruptcy".

What are some alternatives to "delay the inevitable"?

Alternatives include "postpone the unavoidable", "defer the certain conclusion", or "stall the approaching end", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is it appropriate to use "delay the inevitable" in formal writing?

Yes, "delay the inevitable" is suitable for formal writing. It is frequently used in news articles, academic papers, and business reports, making it a versatile and appropriate choice across various registers.

What's the difference between "delay the inevitable" and "prevent the inevitable"?

"Delay the inevitable" implies that the outcome is certain but can be postponed, while "prevent the inevitable" suggests an attempt to completely avert the outcome, although it might ultimately be unsuccessful.