leaving it to the end

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leaving it to the end" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to postponing a task or decision until the conclusion of a process or event. Example: "I decided to tackle the most challenging part of the project first, leaving it to the end to finalize the presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We're going to see what happens to my body and mind if we get the worst Sunday show out of the way early, rather than leaving it to the end.

Huffington Post

We were able to extract multi-faceted perspectives in the literature and our findings throughout the entire research process rather than leaving it to the end of the project.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Should you leave it to the end of the day when the wooing is in full throw, and risk them guessing what you're up to?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This resizing business may require adjustment again -- leave it to the end of the chart formatting.. Double-click on the vertical axis and set Scale as follows: Minimum: -.2, Maximum: 1.2; Major Unit 1.2; Minor Unit.2; Horizontal Axis is the only one checked and it crosses at 0.0.

WikiHow

This hints to a more paternalistic approach with euthanasia leaving it to the physician to take action and end the patients' life rather than the patient ending his own life by taking the lethal medication.

BMC Palliative Care

But as they pass the house, the children's pet dog Scruff goes running up to the house and... Dahl ends, leaving it to the young readers to continue the story.

The Guardian - Books

The final couple of seconds of the shorter spot are fantastic, as it ends just as the maestro is about to launch into the composition he has created and bam, it ends, leaving it to the viewer's imagination.

TechCrunch

And some put off what can be a difficult decision and, by default, end up leaving it to the state.

The Guardian - Money

"So now, as always before, the struggle against judicial excess has ended by leaving it to the justices themselves to correct the errors of the court," he wrote in "The Struggle for Judicial Supremacy".

The New York Times

Comedians have already parodied the pat-downs to no end, but leave it to the Internet to incorporate memes into the nation's anxiety over the "intimate" search tactics.

Huffington Post

Leave it to Charles Hurwitz to end up in the middle of yet another bruising battle.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the implications of delaying a task or decision; using "leaving it to the end" can suggest either strategic planning or procrastination.

Common error

While acceptable, "leaving it to the end" may sound too informal in certain professional or academic settings. Opt for more formal alternatives like "deferring it to the final stage" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leaving it to the end" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating the act of postponing or delaying something until the final stages of a process or event. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "leaving it to the end" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe the act of delaying something until the final stages. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in a variety of contexts, as evidenced by numerous examples from reputable sources. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives in professional or academic settings. When using the phrase, ensure clarity regarding what 'it' refers to and whether the delay is strategic or a result of procrastination. By understanding its nuances, you can effectively incorporate "leaving it to the end" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postponing it until the deadline

Emphasizes delaying an action specifically until a deadline.

delaying it until the last minute

Highlights the act of delaying to the very latest possible time.

deferring it to the final stage

A more formal way of saying to delay something to the final part of a process.

putting it off until the last moment

Suggests procrastination and delaying something until the very end.

leaving it for later

A more general term for postponing something.

saving it for last

Implies that the task or decision is intentionally kept until the end, perhaps for strategic reasons.

holding it back until the conclusion

Indicates a deliberate withholding of something until the end.

reserving it for the finale

Suggests that something is being saved to create a strong finish.

keeping it until the end

A simple and direct way of expressing the act of retaining something until the final part.

parking it until the final hour

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the delay and the urgency of the final hour.

FAQs

How can I use "leaving it to the end" in a sentence?

You can use "leaving it to the end" to describe delaying a task or decision. For example, "I am considering "leaving it to the end" to write the conclusion of my essay after all other parts are done".

What's a more formal way to say "leaving it to the end"?

Alternatives with a more formal tone include "deferring it to the final stage" or "postponing it until the deadline".

Is "leaving it to the end" always a bad strategy?

Not necessarily. While it can imply procrastination, "leaving it to the end" can also be a deliberate strategy if the task benefits from insights gained later in a process, allowing for more informed decision-making.

What's the difference between "leaving it to the end" and "saving it for last"?

"Leaving it to the end" generally refers to delaying something, while "saving it for last" suggests a deliberate choice to keep something for the final part, often to create a strong impact or for strategic advantage.