push back the timeline

USAGE SUMMARY

"push back the timeline" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the date that has been moved further back for a project or event. For example, "We had to push back the timeline for our new product launch due to supply chain delays."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Consider that when Hardwicke, who made back more than 10 times her production budget on "Twilight," asked for more time to work on the sequel, she was replaced, while the maker of another wildly profitable fantasy film, "Avatar's" James Cameron, has been allowed to push back the timeline for his sequels repeatedly.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Vogel: The exposure to so many options and the ability to push back the timelines of marriage and children makes us different from our parents.

Forbes

It seems that as the company has grown more and more, Spiegel and Murphy have pushed back the timeline for monetization as they prioritize user growth first.

TechCrunch

The delay pushes back the timeline for oil and gas exploration and buys marine life needed time.

Huffington Post

While the new study pushes back the timeline of empirically proven bread-baking, previous research suggested humans experimented with proto-flour as early as 30,000 years ago, so bread may have a much more extended history than is currently borne out by concrete evidence.

Vice

"He also did it in a way which takes the pressure off Obama, illustrated by the fact that he pushed back the timelines to next year".

The New York Times

Push back the cuticles.

WikiHow

You can often expect delays that will push back your timeline, and cause your budget to run over.

WikiHow

As regulators pushed back, the bill stalled.

The New York Times

SpaceX also had to push back its timelines for test launches of its Dragon crew capsule as a result of the September incident.

TechCrunch

Also this week, the Iraqi government let it be known that they pushed back a timeline for withdrawal of troops, due to pressure from the Bush administration, apparently due to U.S. political considerations.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "push back the timeline", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the delay and the new expected timeframe to provide full clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "push back the timeline" without specifying the reason. Instead of saying "We had to push back the timeline", clarify with "We had to push back the timeline due to unforeseen supply chain issues."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "push back the timeline" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of delaying or postponing a planned schedule. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "push back the timeline" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to describe the act of delaying a project's schedule. Ludwig's analysis confirms its correct usage, particularly in news, wiki, and science contexts. Related phrases include "extend the deadline" and "delay the schedule". A key writing best practice is to specify the reason for the delay when using this phrase to ensure clear communication. While acceptable in many contexts, it's important to consider the impact of repeated delays on stakeholders. The phrase functions primarily to inform or announce schedule changes, maintaining a generally neutral register suitable for professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extend the deadline

Focuses specifically on the final date for completion.

move the deadline

Highlights relocating the date.

delay the schedule

Highlights postponing the entire plan rather than just the end date.

postpone the project

Implies delaying the entire undertaking, not just its timeline.

reschedule the event

Specifically refers to changing the date of an event.

defer the completion date

A more formal way to say the final date is being delayed.

put off the launch

Specifically applies to delaying the start of a new product or initiative.

prolong the duration

Focuses on increasing the amount of time allocated.

hold up the process

Emphasizes impeding the progress, causing a delay.

slow down the pace

Suggests reducing the speed of progress, leading to a later completion.

FAQs

How can I use "push back the timeline" in a sentence?

You can use "push back the timeline" when you need to delay an event. For example, "Due to technical difficulties, we had to push back the timeline for the product launch."

What's a less direct way of saying "push back the timeline"?

Instead of "push back the timeline", consider using phrases like "extend the deadline" or "delay the schedule" to soften the impact.

Is it acceptable to "push back the timeline" multiple times for the same project?

While technically correct, repeatedly "pushing back the timeline" can negatively impact stakeholders. It's better to manage expectations early on and provide realistic timelines.

What are some common reasons to "push back the timeline"?

Common reasons include unforeseen technical challenges, budget constraints, supply chain disruptions, or regulatory hurdles. Understanding the cause can help in communicating the delay effectively.