PhrasesHub

Put something on ice

    Definitions

      • delay or postpone
        To set aside or postpone a plan or decision for a later time

      • preserve or save
        To keep something in reserve or store it for future use or reference

    Examples of Put something on ice

    • Jennifer asked the event coordinator to put the decision about the band selection on ice until the next meeting.

      When Jennifer asked the event coordinator to put the decision about the band selection on ice, she meant that she wanted the coordinator to temporarily postpone making a decision about the band until the next meeting. This idiom is often used to indicate that a decision or action is being temporarily delayed or postponed.

    • The sales manager put the negotiation with the new client on ice until they could come to an agreement that would benefit both parties.

      In this example, the sales manager asked to delay the negotiation with the new client until they could come to a mutually beneficial agreement. This idiom can also be used to indicate that negotiations or discussions are being temporarily halted due to various reasons like disagreements or unavailability of parties involved.

    • John's plans for the weekend got put on ice because his grandmother fell ill, and he had to take care of her.

      John's weekend plans got delayed because his grandmother fell ill, and he had to take care of her. By saying "John's plans got put on ice," John's friend indicated that the plans were being temporarily delayed or postponed because of the unexpected event.

    • The CEO put the company's expansion plans on ice until they could analyze the market and determine the best course of action.

      In this example, the CEO asked to temporarily delay the company's expansion plans until they could analyze the market and decide on the best course of action. This idiom can be used to indicate that a project or initiative is being temporarily put on hold due to various reasons like lack of proper planning or resources, market analysis, or other unexpected events.

    • The investors were hesitant to move forward with the project, so we decided to put the final presentation on ice until we could address their concerns.

      This idiom means to postpone or delay something indefinitely, usually because it needs more time to be completed or because certain issues need to be resolved. In this example, the presentation was put on ice because the investors had concerns that needed to be addressed before proceeding with the project. By putting it on ice, we were able to take a step back and address those concerns before moving forward with the presentation.

    • The chef told the waitress to put the order on ice until the kitchen could catch up.

      This example is similar to the first one, but in this case, it's being used in a different context. When a restaurant is extremely busy and the kitchen is backed up, the waitstaff may be instructed to hold orders for a short period of time until the kitchen can catch up. By putting the order on ice, the waitstaff is able to avoid overwhelming the kitchen and ensure that the food comes out as quickly as possible once it's been prepared.

    • The couple decided to put their wedding on ice while they sorted out some personal issues.

      In this example, the idiom is being used in a romantic context. Sometimes, couples may need to postpone their wedding due to personal issues or unexpected events. By putting the wedding on ice, they are able to take a step back, address any issues that need to be resolved, and make a more informed decision about whether to proceed with the wedding or postpone it again.

    • My friend told me to put my plans on ice last minute because she wanted to go out instead.

      In this final example, the idiom is being used in a social context. Sometimes, plans may need to be postponed because unexpected events arise, such as a friend wanting to go out instead. By putting your plans on ice, you're able to be flexible and adapt to unexpected changes in your schedule. This can help you to maintain positive relationships with your friends and avoid getting upset or frustrated when plans change unexpectedly.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "put something on ice" can be used to indicate the act of delaying or postponing something, or to preserve or save it for later. It is often used in a figurative sense to convey the idea of setting something aside for a future time, whether it be a plan, decision, or item.

    Origin of "Put something on ice"

    The origin of the idiom "put something on ice" is believed to come from the practice of preserving food by placing it in a container and storing it in ice. This method was commonly used before the invention of modern refrigeration. Over time, the phrase evolved to be used in a figurative sense, indicating the act of preserving or delaying something for a later time. The idiom has become a familiar expression in the English language, conveying the idea of setting something aside for future use or reference. Examples of its usage can be found in literature, speech, and everyday conversation.