put on the ice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "put on the ice" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of suspending or delaying something, often in a figurative sense, such as a project or plan. Example: "Due to budget constraints, we have decided to put the new marketing campaign on the ice until further notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"Marty was put on the ice also".

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm so much more mature about my job and the product that I put on the ice".

The New York Times - Sports

He indicated that Roszival and Redden would be put on the ice to play against Ovechkin, who wound up with 13 shots in Game 1.

The New York Times - Sports

"The instruments we put on the ice get crushed pretty easily," Stammerjohn said.

Los Angeles Times

If you're playing well, you're going to get put on the ice.

Los Angeles Times

The portal is opened just moments after Simon had first put on the ice crown and scared Betty.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Weight on ice: what are you putting on the ice?

WikiHow

Counter Intelligence, however, is aware of time and sequence - it's important to add the flour before putting on the icing, for example.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Finn puts on the ice crown and becomes corrupted by its power, going mad.

Wikipedia

After hearing a rustling from the woods, Simon is forced to put on the mysterious ice crown.

Wikipedia

Rejecting or putting on ice the trade agreement would reduce the United States' credibility and leverage in Colombia and beyond.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "put on the ice" to mean delaying something, ensure the context makes it clear that the delay is temporary. Otherwise, consider using more definitive terms like "cancel" or "abandon".

Common error

Avoid using "put on the ice" in contexts where a literal interpretation (placing something on actual ice) is possible, unless that's the intended meaning. This can lead to confusion and miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put on the ice" primarily functions as a phrasal verb. It is often used idiomatically to indicate the temporary suspension or delay of a plan, project, or other endeavor. Ludwig shows that this phrase is used to mean postponing something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "put on the ice" is a common idiom that signifies the act of delaying or suspending something, as confirmed by Ludwig AI's analysis. It's frequently employed in news and media, science, and general contexts like wikis, with a neutral register. While grammatically correct and widely understood, as stated by Ludwig, it's essential to ensure the context clarifies the figurative meaning, avoiding potential confusion with a literal interpretation. For alternatives, consider using "put on hold", "suspend", or "delay" to match the specific nuance of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

put on hold

A more direct and common synonym for delaying something.

shelve temporarily

Implies placing a project or plan aside with the intention of revisiting it later.

suspend indefinitely

Indicates a more formal and potentially longer-term delay than "put on the ice".

table for later

Suggests postponing a discussion or action to a future meeting or time.

postpone indefinitely

Similar to "suspend indefinitely" but can also imply uncertainty about resumption.

delay consideration

Specifically refers to postponing a decision or evaluation.

defer action on

Emphasizes the postponement of taking action on a specific matter.

hold in abeyance

A more formal term for temporarily suspending something.

freeze development

Specifically indicates stopping further progress on a project or plan.

chill

Informal term for chilling something (like a drink) or pausing activity.

FAQs

What does "put on the ice" mean?

The phrase "put on the ice" typically means to delay or suspend something, either temporarily or indefinitely. It can refer to plans, projects, or decisions.

What can I say instead of "put on the ice"?

You can use alternatives like "put on hold", "suspend", or "delay" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "put in ice" instead of "put on the ice"?

No, "put in ice" has a different meaning, usually referring to placing something inside ice to chill it. "Put on the ice" is used figuratively to mean delaying or suspending something.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "put on the ice"?

It's appropriate when you want to indicate that something is being delayed or suspended, often with the implication that it might be resumed later. For example, "The project was "put on hold" due to budget cuts".