PUT OFF

National Parks

📖 Definition

To postpone or delay doing something, often due to procrastination or reluctance, leading to eventual necessity to deal with it.

Examples in context

📖 Definition

To postpone or delay doing something, often due to procrastination or reluctance, leading to eventual necessity to deal with it.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable
Yes
The object can come between the verb and the particle.
Register
Neutral
Neither informal nor excessively formal, suitable for most contexts.
Transitive
Yes
Requires a direct object to complete its meaning.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense Form Example
Present Simple put off She often puts off her homework until the last minute.
Past Simple put off He put off cleaning the garage for months.
Present Continuous putting off They are putting off the meeting until next week.
Present Perfect have put off I have put off my dentist appointment for too long.

💡 When to Use

Delaying tasks
Use 'put off' when someone procrastinates or postpones tasks they need to tackle but avoid.
Example: "She put off her tax filing until the deadline."
Avoiding responsibilities
When responsibilities are deferred to a later time, 'put off' highlights hesitation or avoidance.
Example: "He puts off visiting his relatives because of the long journey."
Strategic postponement
In cases where a strategic delay is chosen, often for better results, use 'put off'.
Example: "The company put off launching the new product to finalize features."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Wrong particle
❌ Wrong: She put on her homework for tomorrow.
✅ Correct: She put off her homework for tomorrow.
💡 Tip: Remember 'off' indicates delaying.
Wrong order
❌ Wrong: She put the meeting off until Monday.
✅ Correct: She put off the meeting until Monday.
💡 Tip: Keep the object after both verb and particle.
Confusing with 'put up'
❌ Wrong: They put up the event for later.
✅ Correct: They put off the event for later.
💡 Tip: 'Off' means delaying; 'up' means erecting/raising.
Practice

PUT OFF - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

  1. Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
  2. Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
  3. Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

postpone delay

Antonyms

advance

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"They decided to ___ the wedding until the summer."

put on
put off
put up
put in

"To often put off essential tasks is like sowing seeds in a barren field; the yield seldom meets the need."

In Context

In 1963, the United States faced the formidable challenge of the civil rights movement. Despite mounting pressure, President John F. Kennedy had repeatedly put off proposing meaningful civil rights legislation, fearing political backlash that could hinder other domestic programs. Nevertheless, the tumultuous events in Birmingham, Alabama, where brutal racial injustice was televised worldwide, created a compelling urgency. Deeply moved and spurred by public outrage, Kennedy could no longer put off addressing equality and justice. He delivered a historic speech on June 11, 1963, to the nation, advocating for landmark civil rights legislation. Kennedy emphasized that the United States' values were undermined if it continued to put off real action against discrimination. This pivotal moment signaled a turning point and elevated civil rights to a national agenda, inspiring subsequent legislative action. Tragically, Kennedy did not live to see the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, but his courage in no longer putting off critical measures set the foundation for later successes. His administration's eventual support and the persistence of civil rights leaders pushed the nation towards greater equality and justice.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Put Off

What is the origin of put off?

+
The phrase 'put off' has been used since the 14th century. Originally, 'put' meant to thrust or push in Old English, combined with 'off' to signal delay.

Can put off be used in formal and informal contexts?

+
'Put off' is a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its use is common in everyday language, making it versatile for various settings.

What is the difference between put off and postpone?

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While both mean to delay, 'put off' is more informal and often implies procrastination. 'Postpone' is used in formal contexts to indicate rescheduling.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Explore more phrasal verbs in our dictionary:

call offpostponedelaydeferreschedule
Browse All National Parks Phrasal Verbs
National Parks Phrasal Verbs - WeeklyCross
Alessandra Nóbrega
About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey



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