push back the deadline

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "push back the deadline" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that a deadline is being extended or postponed. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we need to push back the deadline for the project submission to next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

He and 132 other airport directors sent a letter to the Senate last month asking it to push back the deadline.

The New York Times

There is a chance the owners and the union could agree to push back the deadline for the expiration of the deal to give themselves more time to negotiate.

The New York Times - Sports

The Mets and the new agent for Hisanori Takahashi have received permission from Major League Baseball and the Players Association to push back the deadline for signing him, probably for about another week, although the exact date has not been determined.

The New York Times

Mr. Hufbauer predicted that the Europeans would find a way to either increase the share of free emissions permits for this year from 85 percent to as high as 100 percent, or even to push back the deadline for airlines to pay.

The New York Times

A change in the primary date, which is expected to pass both houses of the Legislature on Monday, also would push back the deadline by which a replacement could potentially be found for Acting Gov. Donald T. DiFrancesco, the party's putative standard-bearer, who endured a heavy barrage of negative publicity this week.

The New York Times

"I think it was just a feeling on the part of the agencies and ourselves that given some concern on the part of various victims that there wasn't enough time to make the appointments, that it wasn't a smart thing to do," he said in explaining yesterday's decision to push back the deadline.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Or he can say that he has been blown off course by events outside his control and push back the deadlines for hitting his targets for a couple of years.

The Guardian - Business

He later pushed back the deadline to the end of last year.

Independent

This is the second time that Roche, based in Basel, Switzerland, has pushed back the deadline.

The New York Times

This is the second time that Roche has pushed back the deadline.

The New York Times

He has already pushed back the deadline for eliminating the revenue deficit by a year, to 2009.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "push back the deadline" when you want to communicate that a deadline is being delayed, typically due to unforeseen circumstances or a need for more time. It implies a practical adjustment rather than a complete cancellation.

Common error

Avoid using "push back the deadline" if the deadline is being cancelled altogether. The phrase suggests a postponement, not an elimination, of the target date. Be precise when explaining the reason for the change.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "push back the deadline" functions as a verb phrase. It's used to express the act of postponing or extending a previously set date or time for completing a task or fulfilling a requirement, as seen in Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "push back the deadline" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to express the act of extending or postponing a deadline. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While it's most commonly found in news and media contexts, it's versatile enough for many professional communications. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the intent to delay, not cancel, the deadline. Alternatives include "extend the deadline" or "postpone the deadline". Remember to explain the reason for the delay to maintain clarity and transparency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extend the deadline

Replaces "push back" with a more straightforward verb, emphasizing the act of lengthening the time available.

postpone the deadline

Similar to "extend", but suggests a more formal or official rescheduling of the deadline.

reschedule the deadline

Focuses on setting a new, later date for the deadline.

delay the deadline

A more general term for causing the deadline to occur later than originally planned.

move the deadline

Indicates a shift of the deadline to a later point in time.

defer the deadline

Suggests a temporary suspension of the deadline, often with the intention of addressing it later.

grant an extension to the deadline

Emphasizes the act of giving additional time beyond the original deadline.

adjourn the deadline

Implies a temporary suspension of the deadline, potentially with a plan to revisit it later.

prolong the deadline

Focuses on lengthening the duration until the deadline.

hold off the deadline

Similar to "delay", suggesting a postponement or putting off of the deadline.

FAQs

What does "push back the deadline" mean?

It means to postpone or extend the date by which something must be completed. You're essentially granting more time to finish a task or meet a requirement.

What can I say instead of "push back the deadline"?

You can use alternatives like "extend the deadline", "postpone the deadline", or "reschedule the deadline" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "push back the deadline" in formal writing?

Yes, although phrases like "extend the deadline" or "postpone the deadline" may be preferred in highly formal contexts, "push back the deadline" is acceptable in many professional settings.

What's the difference between "delay the deadline" and "push back the deadline"?

"Delay the deadline" is more general, while "push back the deadline" suggests a more active and deliberate decision to move the deadline to a later date. They are often used interchangeably, but the latter implies a conscious adjustment.