kick the can down the road
Defer the problem
To kick the can down the road is to postpone dealing with a problem rather than address it now: Congress kicked the can down the road with another short-term funding bill.
The phrase evokes a child idly kicking a can along, making progress without purpose.
It typically carries a note of criticism—the delay is seen as avoidance rather than strategy.
- evadeEscape by cunning
- defermentAuthorized delay of obligation
- avoidStay away from
- bypassRoute that skirts obstacles
- shirkingAvoiding obligatory tasks
procrastination · drag your feet · abdication · postponement · circumvent · temporizing · delay · put off · buy some time · play for time · irresponsibility · stalling · neglect · deflection · passing the buck · adjournment · delay tactics · dithering
kick the can down the roadbite the bullet
Accept inevitable hardship
take the bull by the horns · grasp the nettle · face the music · seize the moment · strike while the iron is hot
kick the can down the roadresolve
Firmness of purpose
put to rest · close the book on · tie up loose ends · come to terms with · finalize
kick the can down the roadstep up
Increase or advance
own it · take responsibility · take ownership · be accountable · stand and deliver