put off a meeting

Meaning

To 'put off a meeting' means to postpone or delay it to a later time or date. It is a very common, neutral way to reschedule when unexpected conflicts arise or when more preparation time is needed.

Examples

• We had to put off the meeting until next Tuesday because the manager is traveling.

  We had to put off the meeting until next Tuesday because the manager is traveling.

• Can we put off our weekly sync? I have a major client issue to resolve right now.

  Can we put off our weekly sync? I have a major client issue to resolve right now.

• It's never a good idea to put off project meetings when deadlines are tight.

  It's never a good idea to put off project meetings when deadlines are tight.

• They decided to put off the budget meeting until the final numbers are ready.

  They decided to put off the budget meeting until the final numbers are ready.

• I'm sorry, but I need to put off our discussion; something urgent just came up.

  I'm sorry, but I need to put off our discussion; something urgent just came up.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We need to put off the meeting to next week.

  ✓ We need to put off the meeting until next week.

  While 'to' is sometimes used informally, 'until' or 'till' is the correct and professional preposition to specify the new time after 'put off'.

• ✗ Don't put out the meeting anymore.

  ✓ Don't put off the meeting anymore.

  The phrasal verb 'put out' means to extinguish (like a fire) or to inconvenience someone. 'Put off' is the correct phrasal verb for postponing.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Since the reports aren't ready, we should ___ until Friday.

  💡 Use a phrasal verb meaning to postpone.

  Show answer

  put off the meeting

• I don't want to ___ again; we really need to make a decision today.

  💡 Delay the discussion.

  Show answer

  put off the meeting