put on ice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "put on ice" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It means to temporarily postpone or delay something. Example: "The company's expansion plans have been put on ice due to financial constraints."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In 1937, when one spy ring had been broken by British intelligence, Maclean had been put "on ice" by his Russian contact, and had been turning up to meeting after meeting without finding anyone there.

The Guardian

France's lost decade Ahead of the curve Correction: Timur Kuran ReprintsOn the same day that BP's results were announced, a judge in London granted a request by Alfa-Access-Renova (AAR), the vehicle through which Russian partners hold their stake in TNK-BP, that the Rosneft deal be put on ice until at least February 25th.

The Economist

Regular savers in Foreign & Colonial Investment Trust had accounts put on ice without warning owing to "anti-money laundering regulations".

The Guardian - Business

All other festivities are put on ice as a result, leading to disquiet among the retail ranks.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Any expectation of 2015 ending up close to record territory despite having more multi-year ice and volume, was effectively put on ice.

The Guardian

Earlier in the year it emerged that Cosmo Girl, targeted at the teenage market, was to be put on ice until the autumn.

The Guardian

SB 1070 was signed into law in 2010 but quickly put on ice following legal challenges that pushed the law up to the US supreme court.

The Guardian

But one by one the projects are being put on ice.

The Economist

Between now and then, the doubts that Miami thought it had put on ice will surely resurface: Should James be the one who takes the last shot?

The New York Times - Sports

After an ANC meeting in May, reform proposals were put on ice.

The Economist

Work on the urgently needed successor to the ageing 9-3 has been put on ice.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "put on ice" when you want to convey that something is temporarily suspended, but with the implication that it may be resumed later. It's suitable for plans, projects, or discussions.

Common error

Avoid using "put on ice" when you mean something is permanently cancelled or abandoned. "Put on ice" implies a possibility of future revival, while cancellation suggests finality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put on ice" functions as a verb phrase, typically used in the passive voice. It indicates that a particular plan, project, or action has been temporarily suspended or delayed. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the idiomatic phrase "put on ice" means to temporarily postpone or delay something. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. Predominantly found in news and business contexts, it conveys a sense of temporary suspension with the possibility of future resumption. When using this phrase, ensure you intend to communicate a temporary rather than permanent cessation. More formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "held in abeyance" or "deferred until further notice". The most authoritative sources using this phrase include The Guardian, The Economist, and The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

delayed temporarily

Directly states the action is postponed for a limited period, emphasizing the delay.

shelved temporarily

Indicates a project or plan has been put aside for a period, emphasizing the temporary nature of the suspension.

put in hiatus

Similar to "put on ice", emphasizing a break or pause in activity.

postponed indefinitely

Suggests the action is delayed without a set date for resumption, implying a potentially longer or uncertain timeframe.

suspended for the moment

Highlights that the action is halted in the present, with a focus on the current state rather than future prospects.

tabled for later

Implies the matter is set aside for future discussion or action, common in formal settings like meetings.

frozen for the time being

Focuses on the temporary cessation of activity, akin to something being preserved or kept static.

kept on hold

Conveys a sense of waiting or suspension, often used in project management or customer service contexts.

held in abeyance

Signifies a state of temporary inactivity or suspension, often used in legal or formal contexts.

deferred until further notice

Indicates a delay with no specific time frame for resumption, pending additional information or developments.

FAQs

What does it mean to say something is "put on ice"?

To say that something is "put on ice" means that it has been temporarily suspended or delayed. This usually implies that there is a possibility it will be revisited or resumed at a later time.

How can I use "put on ice" in a sentence?

You can use "put on ice" in sentences like, "The company's expansion plans have been "shelved temporarily"," or "Due to budget cuts, the project was "delayed temporarily"."

What are some alternatives to "put on ice"?

Some alternatives to "put on ice" include phrases like ""shelved temporarily"", "postponed indefinitely", or "held in abeyance", depending on the context.

Is "put on ice" formal or informal language?

"Put on ice" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. While acceptable in many contexts, more formal settings might benefit from using alternatives like "held in abeyance" or "deferred until further notice".