leave the issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leave the issue" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to stop discussing or worrying about a particular problem or topic. Example: After hours of debate, the group decided to leave the issue of funding for the project until the next meeting.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Last year, a government advisor told The Independent that they had decided to leave the issue alone.

Independent

We are just going to leave the issue alone".

The New York Times

I will leave the issue of blasphemy to experts.

The New Yorker

Perkins says that he agreed, and was eager to leave the issue behind.

The New Yorker

This will leave the issue of these derivatives to be settled by the S.E.C.

The New York Times

"The party is too concerned about stability to leave the issue undecided".

The New York Times

He was asked if he thought the court could yet leave the issue to the states.

The Guardian

That would leave the issue of, say, an Exxon claiming religious freedom rights to another day.

The Guardian

However, to attract allies, the BJP agreed to leave the issue to the courts, where cases drag on interminably.

The Economist

But they chose instead to leave the issue of rectifying the pay inequity in the hands of Congress.

The New York Times

As a result, the financial bills passed by the House and Senate leave the issue largely untouched.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leave the issue" when you want to suggest that a topic should be set aside, either temporarily or permanently, often to avoid conflict or because it's deemed too complex to handle at the moment.

Common error

Avoid using "leave the issue" if your intention is to find a definitive solution. This phrase implies setting something aside, not necessarily resolving it. If resolution is the goal, consider phrases like "address the issue" or "resolve the problem" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leave the issue" functions as a verb phrase used to indicate the action of setting aside, deferring, or delegating a particular topic or problem. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct. The phrase often appears when a decision or topic is considered too complex or contentious to be addressed immediately.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "leave the issue" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that indicates the action of postponing, setting aside, or delegating a particular topic or problem. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and can be found across various contexts, including news, scientific publications, and formal business settings. It's crucial to remember that using "leave the issue" implies a decision to not address something immediately, and alternatives like "address the issue" or "resolve the problem" should be considered if active resolution is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set aside the question

Focuses on postponing consideration of a specific point.

table the matter

Emphasizes delaying discussion or action on a subject.

defer the decision

Highlights the act of postponing a final judgment or resolution.

shelve the problem

Suggests putting a problem aside, often indefinitely.

pass the buck

Indicates shifting responsibility to someone else.

delegate the responsibility

Focuses on assigning responsibility to another party.

avoid the topic

Emphasizes deliberately steering clear of a particular subject.

postpone the discussion

Highlights delaying the conversation on a specific issue.

sidestep the problem

Suggests evading or circumventing a problem without directly addressing it.

refer it to someone else

Indicates redirecting the issue to another person or entity.

FAQs

How can I use "leave the issue" in a sentence?

You can use "leave the issue" to suggest that a topic should be set aside or deferred. For example, "The committee decided to leave the issue of budget cuts until the next meeting."

What is an alternative to saying "leave the issue"?

Alternatives include "set aside the question", "defer the decision", or "table the matter", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to "leave the issue" or "address the issue"?

Whether to "leave the issue" or "address the issue" depends on the context. "Leave the issue" suggests postponement or avoidance, while "address the issue" implies a direct effort to resolve it. Choose the phrase that best reflects the intended action.

What does it mean to "leave the issue" to someone else?

To "leave the issue" to someone else means to delegate the responsibility or decision-making power regarding that issue to another person or entity. This implies that you are not personally handling the matter.