put it off until later

USAGE SUMMARY

"put it off until later" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is a common expression that means to delay something or postpone it until a future time. Example: I have a lot of work to do, but I think I'll put it off until later so I can go to the gym now.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"Sometimes, I don't answer because I don't have time to give the response I think is deserved, so I put it off until later, then forget and the message winds up being that I didn't care enough to respond, when, in fact, I cared too much," my friend Faye said.

The New York Times

You can do this now or put it off until later.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

She'd planned on putting it off until later in the summer, but she knew she'd have to contend with the storms that tended to come up suddenly that time of year, violent, with lightning and strong wind.

The New Yorker

Putting it off until later in the day gives you the chance to get too busy and just not go.

Huffington Post

We all find ourselves in moments like this when we have a chance to do something cool but we're also tempted to run away from it, sometimes in the form of putting it off until later.

Huffington Post

If you're a quiet, but studious worker, get away with doing nothing by putting it off until later.

WikiHow

PT: Well, I'm mainly really a melody guy, and sometimes, the lyrics pop in later, but I do put it off until the very end... maybe it's because I care so much about the lyrics.

Huffington Post

This show is in its final days, so don't put it off until next week.

Los Angeles Times

Or put it off until next year.

The New York Times - Arts

That's why he put it off until now.

Independent

"It just means they'll put it off until May".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "put it off until later", be mindful of the potential consequences of delaying the task. Consider if there are deadlines or dependencies that might be affected.

Common error

While common, relying too heavily on "put it off until later" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like "delay", "postpone", or "defer" for better impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put it off until later" functions as a phrasal verb indicating the postponement of an action or task. As confirmed by Ludwig, this expression is a common way to express deferment.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "put it off until later" is a common and grammatically correct phrasal verb used to express the act of delaying something to a later time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for general use but may need to be replaced by more formal alternatives in professional or academic writing. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, as well as wiki content. When using "put it off until later", consider the implications of the delay and whether a more precise or formal term would be appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delay it

Focuses on the act of delaying, omitting the specific timeframe.

postpone it

Emphasizes formally rescheduling something to a later time.

defer it

Suggests a more formal or official postponement.

hold it off

Implies resisting or preventing something from happening now.

shelve it for now

Indicates temporarily setting something aside.

table it

Suggests postponing a discussion or decision in a meeting context.

leave it for another time

Highlights the intention to address something in the future.

procrastinate on it

Specifically addresses the act of delaying due to reluctance or laziness.

kick it down the road

Informal expression for delaying a problem or decision.

put it on the back burner

Implies reducing the priority of something.

FAQs

How can I use "put it off until later" in a sentence?

You can use "put it off until later" to indicate delaying a task. For example, "I should probably do my taxes, but I think I'll "put it off until later"."

What is a more formal alternative to "put it off until later"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "defer it" or "postpone it" as more appropriate alternatives.

Is it always bad to "put it off until later"?

Not necessarily. Sometimes, delaying a task can allow you to gather more information or resources. However, be careful not to procrastinate unnecessarily.

What's the difference between ""put it off until later"" and "procrastinate on it"?

"Put it off until later" is a general term for delaying, while "procrastinate on it" specifically implies delaying due to reluctance or laziness.