kick the can

USAGE SUMMARY

'kick the can' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express that one is avoiding making a decision or addressing a difficult issue. Example Sentence: The board members were reluctant to take any action on the new policy, so they decided to just kick the can down the road.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

KICK the can.

The New York Times

You can't just kick the can!

The New Yorker

We will not kick the can down the road.

The New York Times

They are willing to kick the can — and no more.

The New York Times

He will try to kick the can down the road.

The New York Times

It can only kick the can down the road.

The New York Times

"No longer can we kick the can down the road".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Judge Sutton is playing kick-the-can with gay marriage.

The Economist

"It's not great that it's a kick-the-can process.

The New York Times

A place where the biggest decision is whether to play kick-the-can or king-of-the-hill.

The Economist

There's a kick-the-can mentality".

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kick the can" when you want to convey that a problem is being deliberately avoided or delayed, especially when the delay might have negative consequences in the future.

Common error

Avoid using "kick the can" when the delay is unintentional or when there's a genuine effort to find a solution. The phrase implies a deliberate avoidance of a problem that needs addressing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kick the can" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically used as a verb phrase within a sentence. According to Ludwig, it suggests avoiding or delaying addressing a problem or issue, and the numerous examples confirm its usage in this context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kick the can" is a common idiomatic phrase used to describe the act of avoiding or delaying addressing a problem, often implying negative future consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or professional writing. The examples show its effectiveness in conveying criticism or disapproval of delayed decision-making. When writing, consider if the deliberate avoidance meaning is correct for your context to avoid misuse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put it off until later

A simpler, more direct way of expressing delay, suitable for informal contexts.

leave it for another day

Similar to "put it off", but emphasizes the postponement to a later date.

postpone the issue

Focuses on delaying a specific issue rather than a general avoidance.

defer the decision

Emphasizes delaying a decision, often implying a formal context.

procrastinate on the matter

Highlights the act of delaying action due to laziness or lack of motivation.

stall for time

Suggests creating a delay, often to gain an advantage or avoid immediate consequences.

table the motion

A formal term, primarily used in meetings, to postpone discussion of a proposal.

dodge the bullet

Implies narrowly escaping a problem or difficult situation, not necessarily delaying it.

pass the buck

Shifts responsibility to someone else, rather than delaying dealing with it oneself.

shirk responsibility

Evades responsibility altogether, differing from merely delaying.

FAQs

What does "kick the can" mean?

The idiom "kick the can" means to avoid or postpone dealing with a problem or making a decision, often with the implication that this will create bigger problems in the future.

How can I use "kick the can" in a sentence?

You can use "kick the can" to describe situations where someone is delaying addressing a difficult issue. For example, "The government decided to "postpone the issue" rather than dealing with it directly, effectively kicking the can down the road."

What are some alternatives to saying "kick the can"?

Alternatives include phrases like "defer the decision", "stall for time", or "put it off until later", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "kick the can" in formal writing?

While "kick the can" is widely understood, it's generally considered informal. In formal writing, you might prefer alternatives like ""postpone the issue"" or "defer the decision" to maintain a more professional tone.