put-off

Definition

1. Noun:
   • An excuse or evasion: "put-off" refers to a statement or action intended to delay, avoid, or postpone something, often to escape a responsibility or uncomfortable situation.
   • A cause of delay or reluctance: It can also mean something that discourages or makes a person less eager to proceed with an activity or task.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • His constant put-offs about finishing the report frustrated his boss. (Excuses or delays used to avoid completing the work.)
  • The high price was a major put-off for potential buyers. (A factor that discouraged or made people reluctant to purchase.)

Advanced Usage

• "a put-off" as a psychological barrier: Used to describe an obstacle that reduces enthusiasm or willingness.
  • The long commute was a real put-off when considering the job offer. (The travel time discouraged the person from accepting the position.)

Variants and Related Words

• Put off (phrasal verb): To postpone or delay something; to cause someone to feel dislike or hesitation.

  • We had to put off the meeting until next week. (Postpone.)
  • His rude comments put me off. (Made me feel reluctant or annoyed.)

• Off-putting (adj): Causing dislike, hesitation, or discouragement.

  • Her cold stare was very off-putting. (Unpleasant and discouraging.)

Synonyms

• Delay: the act of postponing something.
• Excuse: a reason or explanation offered to avoid a task.
• Discouragement: something that reduces confidence or willingness.

Related Idioms

• To give someone a put-off: To offer an excuse or reason to avoid doing something.
  • He gave me a put-off about being too busy to help. (He made an excuse to avoid assisting.)

Phrasal Verbs (Related)

• Put off: (see Variants above) — to postpone or to cause distaste.
• Put someone off: to cause someone to lose interest or enthusiasm.
  • The bad smell put me off my dinner. (Made me lose appetite.)