defer decision

Meaning

1. 1phrasefixed phraseformalbusinesslaw

   to delay making a decision until a later time

   Grammar: Used as a verb phrase; the object 'decision' is often preceded by 'a' or 'the'. You can also say 'defer making a decision'.

   Patterns

   • defer a decision
   • defer the decision
   • defer a decision on something
   • defer a decision until something

   The board decided to defer the decision until the next meeting.

   We cannot defer a decision on this issue any longer; we must act now.

   The judge deferred the decision for two weeks to allow more evidence.

Common combinations

defer a decision on

They deferred a decision on the new policy until the financial report was ready.

defer the decision until

The committee deferred the decision until after the holidays.

defer a decision for

The government deferred a decision for six months to consult experts.

defer a final decision

We should defer a final decision until we have all the facts.

Synonyms and how they differ

postpone

Postpone is more general and can be used for events or decisions; defer is more formal and often used for official decisions.

put off

Put off is informal and can sound less serious; defer is formal and suggests a deliberate delay.

delay

Delay can be unintentional or due to problems; defer usually means a planned postponement.

Opposites

Word family

deferment noun

The act of delaying something, especially a decision or payment.

deferral noun

An official delay or postponement, often of a decision.

Commonly confused: defer decision or differ?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “defer decision”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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