ワードアップ英会話 WORD UP ENGLISH CLASS | 日記 | Idioms: "put (something) off"

To put something off means to wait until later to do it, or delay doing it. This idiom is usually used with the nuance of procrastination (that is, not doing something that should be done now, or soon).

Examples:

"I have to finish my project by next Friday, but I keep putting it off." (This means I know I should be working on my project now, but I keep waiting to finish it).

-OR-

"I need to stop putting off doing my taxes and get them finished." (This means I know I should have started doing my taxes earlier, but I didn't, and so I have to do them now).