put off the evil day

put off the evil day

To procrastinate or postpone some task, activity, or event anticipated to be particularly unpleasant, arduous, or irritating. I know I need to file my taxes soon, but I just keep putting off the evil day.
See also: evil, off, put
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

put off the evil day

BRITISH
If you put off the evil day, you try to avoid doing something unpleasant or difficult for as long as possible. I know I have to do my accounts at some point — I'm just putting off the evil day when I actually do it. Note: You can also say that someone puts off the evil hour. There was no putting off the evil hour any longer. I picked up the phone and called her.
See also: evil, off, put
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

put off the evil day (or hour)

postpone something unpleasant for as long as possible.
See also: evil, off, put
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • put off the evil hour
  • put something on the long finger
  • put (something) on the long finger
  • waste time
  • time and tide wait for no man
  • time and tide wait for no one
  • give me strength
  • give me strength!
  • a pain in the neck
References in classic literature
I'll have to marry sometime, I suppose, but I shall put off the evil day as long as I can."
Anne of The Island
Thus Sophia, by a little well-directed flattery, for which surely none will blame her, obtained a little ease for herself, and, at least, put off the evil day. And now we have seen our heroine in a better situation than she hath been for a long time before, we will look a little after Mr Jones, whom we left in the most deplorable situation that can be well imagined.
The History of Tom Jones a Foundling
There was one step, perhaps, by which he might still win Dunstan's silence and put off the evil day: he might tell his father that he had himself spent the money paid to him by Fowler; and as he had never been guilty of such an offence before, the affair would blow over after a little storming.
Silas Marner
The minister may feel that the Government should take the risk, especially as that would put off the evil day until he is out of office and his successor has to admit the Treasury has demanded a further cut in Defra's budget to pay an EU fine.
Payments backed by new commissioner
But now we have lots more reasons to put off the evil day. First there is the General Election.
Why the waiting game may not always work; Anthony Wood of Samuel Wood & Co looks ahead to a possible summer of stagnation on the property market PROPERTYEXPERT
Then it is Charlotte to the rescue as she spins webs above Wilbur with words contained in them, miraculous events which amaze the locals and put off the evil day.
Web of delight; THE BIG PICTURE film
He said: "You have put off the evil day as much as you can.
Man in threat to kill lover
Dismissing the appeal, Lord Justice Rose said the tribunal had been entitled to conclude that Mr Kilshaw's application for an adjournment 'was a manoeuvre to put off the evil day' of the disciplinary hearing.
Internet adoption solicitor fails to avoid being struck off
Some parties also believe that suspending the institutions would only put off the evil day. But what they should all remember as they stare into the political abyss is what we all knew before the Good Friday Agreement: Bombings, death, misery, disappearances and endless funerals.
Leading Article: Ulster returns to the brink