put off indefinitely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "put off indefinitely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to postponing an event or action without a specific reschedule date. Example: "The meeting has been put off indefinitely due to unforeseen circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

He was refused, or put off indefinitely.

The Washington Post

Under previous rules, the notice could be put off indefinitely.

The New York Times

And essential renovations are being put off indefinitely.

The New York Times

But Ayatollah Khamenei ordered the ceremony put off indefinitely.

The New York Times

New Yorkers may now wish that the election itself were put off indefinitely.

The Economist

But the deal cannot be put off indefinitely, with spring training less than a month away.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

I probably would have put off renovating indefinitely, except I married and became pregnant.

The New York Times

It was starting to look as if many women might put off motherhood indefinitely.

The Guardian

Or, some fear, the violence of the uprising could provide the rationale for a military crackdown that would put off elections indefinitely.

The New York Times

Informality is a complex issue, as much cultural as economic.But governments can no longer afford to put off reforms indefinitely.

The Economist

(More recently, Ali G asked Richard Thornburgh, the former Attorney General, if a death-row inmate could put off execution indefinitely by requesting an all-you-can-eat buffet).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "put off indefinitely", ensure the context clearly indicates that there is no current plan to reschedule or resume the action. This avoids ambiguity and sets clear expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "put off indefinitely" when there is a reasonable expectation of rescheduling soon. This phrase implies a longer or even permanent delay, so use alternatives like "postponed" or "delayed" if rescheduling is likely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put off indefinitely" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically indicating the action of postponing something without setting a new date. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is correct. Examples show it modifying various nouns, such as "meeting", "trial", and "construction".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "put off indefinitely" is a common phrasal verb used to describe the postponement of an event or action without a specific future date. According to Ludwig AI, this usage is grammatically correct and broadly applicable. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for both professional and casual communication. While alternatives exist, such as "suspend for an unspecified duration" or "shelve for the foreseeable future", "put off indefinitely" effectively conveys the uncertainty and potential long-term nature of the delay. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about the absence of rescheduling plans to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

postpone without a set date

Emphasizes the lack of a new scheduled time.

suspend for an unspecified duration

Highlights a temporary cessation with no guaranteed resumption.

delay without rescheduling

Simple statement of delaying and not setting a new date.

shelve for the foreseeable future

Suggests the action is unlikely to be revived soon.

defer without limit

Focuses on the act of delaying with no endpoint.

hold in abeyance permanently

Indicates a state of temporary inactivity, possibly permanent.

put on ice indefinitely

An idiomatic expression meaning to postpone something for an indefinite time.

adjourn sine die

A formal term for indefinite postponement.

table indefinitely

Suggests setting aside for an unlimited duration.

kick into the long grass

An idiomatic expression meaning to avoid dealing with something.

FAQs

How do you use "put off indefinitely" in a sentence?

You can use "put off indefinitely" to indicate that something has been postponed without a specific future date. For example, "The project has been put off indefinitely due to budget constraints."

What's the difference between "put off indefinitely" and "postponed"?

"Put off indefinitely" implies that the postponement may be long-term or permanent, while "postponed" suggests a temporary delay with the expectation of rescheduling.

What can I say instead of "put off indefinitely"?

You can use alternatives like "suspend for an unspecified duration", "shelve for the foreseeable future", or "adjourn sine die" depending on the context.

Is "put off indefinitely" formal or informal?

"Put off indefinitely" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in both professional and casual contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "adjourn sine die" exist for very formal situations.