keep on ice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep on ice" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a figurative phrase that means to postpone or delay something, usually a decision or action. Example: We need to decide how to proceed with the project, so let's keep it on ice for now and revisit it when the situation is clearer.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

After the addition of lysis buffer, the cells were scraped off and keep on ice for 30 min. Protein concentration of lysates were measured by Bio-Rad protein assay kit after centrifugation at 14000 rpm for 10 min. Lysates with 30 µg of protein were subjected to SDS-PAGE for CD44 detection.

Plosone

Fill Petri dish with ice and keep on ice.

Biological Procedures Online

i. Keep on ice and shielded from light.

eLife

Thaw the RNA samples, but keep on ice when thawed.

Applications in Plant Sciences

Keep on ice as much as possible during handling procedures.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Keep on ice for 5 min, swirling plate occasionally for uniform spreading.

eLife

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Most whites don't need to be kept on ice.

The New York Times - Food

The champagne, however, will be kept on ice.

The Guardian

NES cells were kept on ice throughout the procedure.

Nature

Many mouse embryos are kept on ice.

Forbes

Samples were kept on ice until assayed.

AMB Express

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the expression to mean preserving something for later, be sure to define for how long you expect to keep the subject "on ice" in order to avoid misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid using "keep on ice" when a more precise term is needed. Overusing idiomatic expressions can obscure your intended meaning. Use more specific alternatives when explaining concepts that necessitate more detail.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "keep on ice" is as an idiomatic expression. It functions as a verb phrase, either literally referring to maintaining something at a cold temperature (as seen in Ludwig's science examples) or figuratively to postponing or delaying action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keep on ice" is an idiomatic expression with dual meanings, literally indicating preservation through cooling and figuratively suggesting postponement. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Predominantly used in science and news contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register. While "keep on ice" isn't as common as other idioms, its usage is well-established, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put on hold

This alternative suggests a temporary suspension, similar to delaying something.

delay consideration

This alternative specifically refers to postponing a decision or deliberation.

shelve for later

Implies putting something aside with the intention of revisiting it in the future.

preserve by chilling

This alternative is relevant when "keep on ice" refers to maintaining a low temperature for preservation.

maintain at low temperature

Similar to 'preserve by chilling', it focuses on the temperature aspect.

put in cold storage

Suggests a longer-term preservation method by refrigeration.

hold in abeyance

Formally indicates a state of temporary inactivity or suspension.

table the discussion

Specifically used in meeting contexts to postpone a topic.

suspend temporarily

Highlights the temporary nature of the delay or suspension.

refrigerate

A direct action to keep something cold, usually for food or scientific materials.

FAQs

How can I use "keep on ice" in a sentence?

You can use "keep on ice" to describe the act of literally maintaining something at a cold temperature, such as "The samples were "kept on ice" during the experiment". Figuratively, it means to postpone something, like "Let's "keep this project on ice" until we secure more funding".

What does "keep on ice" mean?

The phrase "keep on ice" has two main meanings. Literally, it means to preserve something by keeping it cold with ice. Figuratively, it means to postpone or delay something for later consideration.

Which is correct, "keep on ice" or "put on ice"?

"Keep on ice" and "put on ice" are both correct and often interchangeable. However, "put on ice" might more strongly imply a deliberate act of delaying or shelving something, while "keep on ice" can also refer to maintaining something at a cold temperature.

What are some alternatives to "keep on ice" when referring to delaying something?

Alternatives include "put on hold", "delay consideration", or "shelve for later". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.