- To avoid dealing with a difficult problem or making an important decision by postponing it, hoping it will resolve itself or become someone else's responsibility later. Often implies irresponsibility or short-sightedness.
Explanation
Origin
- Evokes the image of children playing, kicking an empty can along the street just far enough so they don't have to deal with it immediately, rather than picking it up or putting it in the trash.
- It signifies delaying the inevitable confrontation with a problem, only moving it slightly further away in time or scope. Often used critically, especially in political and policy discussions.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Putting it off
- Dodging the issue
- Stalling
- Sweeping it under the rug (Hiding the problem rather than just delaying)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Fucking kicking the can down the road (Adds intensity to the criticism)
Milder/Formal:
- Deferring the decision/action
- Postponing resolution
- Avoiding the issue
- Failing to address the problem directly
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal to formal, frequently used in political commentary, news analysis, and business strategy discussions.
- Carries a strong negative judgment about avoidance and lack of responsibility.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- The imagery is metaphorical. Learners need to grasp that it means avoiding a problem, not literally kicking a can. The critical connotation is key.
Examples
- Instead of fixing the pension system, successive governments have just kicked the can down the road.
- We need to address the root cause of the issue, not just kick the can down the road with temporary fixes.
- Dealing with technical debt now is better than kicking the can down the road until it causes a major failure.
Dialogue
Citizen 1: Did you see the city council delayed the decision on the waste management plan again?
Citizen 2: Unbelievable. They're just kicking the can down the road. That landfill isn't getting any bigger.
Citizen 1: Exactly. They need to make a tough choice sooner or later.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Another climate conference ends with vague promises. Stop kicking the can down the road and commit to real action! #ClimateActionNow #COP
- News Article Headline: Congress Accused of Kicking the Can Down the Road on Budget Deficit
- LinkedIn Post: Short-term fixes might seem easier, but kicking the can down the road on infrastructure investment will cost us more later. #economy #policy
Response Patterns
- Agreement/Shared Frustration: Exactly!, It's so irresponsible., Someone needs to deal with it.
- Defense (if involved): It's more complicated than that., We need more time/information.
- Proposals for action: So what should be done instead?
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After criticizing someone for kicking the can down the road:
- Discussion often turns to the negative consequences of the delay.
- Proposing or demanding concrete solutions or decisions.
- Analyzing the reasons for the avoidance (political difficulty, cost, complexity).
Conversation Starter
- No. It's a critique of how a specific, known problem is being handled (or not handled).
Intonation
- Almost always carries a critical, frustrated, or disapproving tone.
- Stress often on KICK, CAN, and ROAD. They just keep KICKING the CAN down the ROAD.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood, particularly common in discussions about politics, policy, and long-term planning.
Regional Variations
- Especially prevalent in American English political and media discourse, but well-understood and used elsewhere.