delay the project

Meaning

This phrase means to slow down the progress of a project or postpone its completion date. It is used in professional contexts when unexpected issues, lack of resources, or external factors cause a timeline to slip.

Examples

• If we don't get the permits this week, it will delay the project by a month.

  If we don't get the permits this week, it will delay the project by a month.

• Supply chain issues might delay the project, so we need a backup plan.

  Supply chain issues might delay the project, so we need a backup plan.

• We decided to hire more freelancers so we wouldn't delay the project.

  We decided to hire more freelancers so we wouldn't delay the project.

• A sudden change in requirements could seriously delay the project.

  A sudden change in requirements could seriously delay the project.

• I'm sorry to report that technical difficulties will delay the project.

  I'm sorry to report that technical difficulties will delay the project.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The bad weather will delay the project's time.

  ✓ The bad weather will delay the project.

  'Delay' already implies affecting the schedule or timeline, so adding 'project's time' is redundant.

• ✗ We had to make a delay on the project.

  ✓ We had to delay the project.

  While 'delay' can be a noun, using it as a direct verb ('delay the project') is much more natural and concise in professional communication.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Losing our main developer is going to ___.

  💡 Slow down or postpone the timeline.

  Show answer

  delay the project

• Please make sure these minor bugs don't ___.

  💡 Cause a postponement of our launch.

  Show answer

  delay the project