Kick the Can Down the Road

Kick the Can Down the Road

Welcome to English in a Minute!

“Kick the can”

was the name of a children’s game that became popular in the 1930s.

Kick the can down the road

Have you found a new apartment yet?

No, I’ve just been paying rent at my same old place…

one month at a time…

You do know you have to get away from that roommate of yours, right?

You are just kicking the can down the road, Anna!

I know, Jonathan, I know.

But right now, looking for a new apartment is more stressful than she is.

To “kick the can down the road” means to avoid dealing with a difficult situation or making a hard decision until later.

For example, Anna does not want to begin looking for a new apartment.

So she just kicks the can down the road, every month!

And that’s English in a Minute.