delay the matter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "delay the matter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to postponing or deferring a discussion or decision regarding a specific issue or topic. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have decided to delay the matter until next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Such requests are usually approved within a matter of days, but the New York racing officials, who also consulted with the State Department, delayed processing his application and appeared ready to delay the matter for the foreseeable future.

The New York Times - Sports

So we delay the matter and observe the [birthing] situation.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The council was scheduled to consider changing rules that limit smoking inside apartment buildings and at restaurants in early August, but delayed the matter.

Los Angeles Times

How could I not sympathize?" Complications in assigning a judge to Harrisson's trial has delayed the matter, but his lawyer confirmed the case will be heard in the city's Provincial Court in late May.

Vice

How could I not sympathize?" Complications in assigning a judge to Harrisson's trial in St. John's have delayed the matter, but his lawyer confirmed the case will be heard in the city's Provincial Court in late May.

Vice

The prince said that his government had been awaiting the capture of the two fugitives to complete its own investigation of the case, but that it would no longer delay referring the matter to the Saudi courts.

The New York Times

But the Senate's leadership remains united in barring Mr. Burris, and hopes to delay settling the matter until the Illinois legislature can impeach the governor and allow a new appointment to be made.

The New York Times

There is a vague promise of referendums of local parents on the fate of the existing 160-odd grammar schools, but the further consultation proposed in the white paper seems to be a means of delaying the whole matter in the hope that it simply goes away.Overall, the white paper avoids the worst pitfalls and contains many sensible proposals.

The Economist

And it would simply delay the prompt resolution of the matter, because it would require a newcomer to the case to start over".

The New York Times

The aim of AIBL Active is to determine whether a 24-month physical activity program can delay the progression of white matter changes on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

BMC Psychiatry

Since white matter changes are considered a risk factor for cognitive decline, testing the efficacy of PA as a strategy to delay the progression of white matter changes in those at risk is timely.

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "delay the matter" when you want to postpone a discussion or decision, especially when further information or consideration is needed. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "delay the matter" is acceptable, avoid using it excessively. Vary your language with alternatives like "postpone the issue" or "defer the decision" to maintain a fresh and engaging writing style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "delay the matter" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of postponing or deferring something. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts where decisions or processes are being held back.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

29%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "delay the matter" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate the postponement of a decision or discussion. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While versatile, it's wise to use alternatives like "postpone the issue" or "defer the decision" to avoid repetition. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, reflecting its use in reporting on delayed decisions or processes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postpone the issue

Focuses specifically on postponing a particular issue or problem.

defer the decision

Emphasizes delaying a final decision on a matter.

hold off on the matter

Suggests a temporary suspension of action.

put the matter on hold

Implies a temporary pause in considering the matter.

suspend the discussion

Indicates a temporary cessation of a discussion.

table the question

Means to postpone or defer consideration of a question.

shelve the topic

Suggests putting a topic aside, often indefinitely.

adjourn the matter

Refers to formally postponing a meeting or session related to the matter.

slow down the process

Implies a reduction in the speed of handling the matter.

stall the proceedings

Suggests intentionally delaying formal proceedings.

FAQs

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

You can use "delay the matter" when you need to postpone a decision or discussion. For example: "The committee decided to delay the matter until further evidence was available."

What are some alternatives to "delay the matter"?

Alternatives include "postpone the issue", "defer the decision", or "put the matter on hold", depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "delay the matter" or "postpone the issue"?

"Delay the matter" and "postpone the issue" are relatively similar in formality. However, "defer the decision" might sound slightly more formal in certain contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "delay the matter"?

It's appropriate to use "delay the matter" when you need more time or information before making a decision or taking action. It's a neutral phrase suitable for many situations.