today

Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today.

Do not delay or hesitate to do something if you can finish or accomplish it today. A: "I've just got one more short assignment and then I'll be finished with my homework, but I think I'll wait until Sunday to do it." B: "You'll enjoy your weekend more if you do it now. Remember, never put off until tomorrow what you can do today!"

See also: can, never, off, put, tomorrow, until, what

here today, (and) gone tomorrow

Said of something that is short-lived. I can't believe I've already spent the money I got for my birthday. Here today, gone tomorrow!

See also: gone, here, tomorrow

put off

1. verb To deter, annoy, or repel. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "put" and "off." I don't know if you realize how much you put people off with your attitude. He has a knack for putting off his dates.

2. verb To delay doing or dealing with something; to procrastinate instead of doing something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "put" and "off." Why did I keep putting off working on this essay? Now I'll be up all night writing it. If you put off getting car insurance, you could wind up in jail if you get in an accident. I'm sorry I didn't call you sooner. I should never have put it off.

3. verb To delay meeting with or avoid dealing with someone. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "put" and "off." I'm sorry I've been putting you off lately; it's just been really hectic in work and at home. Has Helen said anything to you about me recently? I feel like she's putting me off.

4. adjective Deterred, annoyed, or repelled (by something). I could tell he was a bit put off by my comments. Please don't spread the news about the robbery. We don't want our guests put off at the idea of staying with us overnight.

See also: off, put

Here today, (and) gone tomorrow.

Prov. Available now, but soon to be gone. (Used to describe something that does not last-often an opportunity). The stores near my house don't stay in business very long—here today, and gone tomorrow. If you want this carpet, buy it now. This sale price is here today, gone tomorrow.

See also: gone, here, tomorrow

put someone off

 

1. to delay dealing with someone until a later time. I hate to keep putting you off, but we are not ready to deal with you yet. I had to put off the plumber again. He really wants his money.

2. to repel someone; to distress someone. You really put people off with your scowling face. You put off people with your arrogance.

3. to avoid or evade someone. I don't wish to see Mr. Brown now. Please put him off. I won't talk to reporters. Tell them something that will put them off. Put off those annoying people!

See also: off, put

put someone off (of) something

 and put someone off

to remove someone from a form of transportation, such as a train, ship, or airplane, owing to illness or misbehavior. (See also put someone off. Of is usually retained before pronouns.) The captain ordered that the unruly passengers be put off the ship at the next port. We put the thief off at the dock.

See also: off, put

put something off

to postpone something; to schedule something for a later time. I have to put off our meeting until a later time. I put off a visit to the dentist as long as I could.

See also: off, put

Today here, tomorrow the world.

Prov. Successful in this location now, with later recognition in the rest of the world. (Describes something whose influence seems certain to spread. The name of an appropriate locality is usually substituted for here.) I thought that silly fashion in clothes was unique to California, but it seems to be spreading. Today Los Angeles, tomorrow the world.

See also: today, tomorrow, world

What's on tap for today?

Inf. What is on the schedule for today?; What is going to happen today? (As a beer that is on tap and ready to be served.) Tom: Good morning, Fred. Fred: Morning. What's on tap for today? Tom: Trouble in the morning and difficulty in the afternoon. Fred: So nothing's new. Sally: Can we have lunch today? Sue: I'll have to look at my schedule and see what's on tap for today.

See also: on, tap

here today, gone tomorrow

Lacking permanence, fleeting. For example, His book attracted a great deal of attention but quickly went out of print-here today and gone tomorrow . Originally alluding to the briefness of the human lifespan, this phrase was first recorded in John Calvin's Life and Conversion of a Christian Man (1549): "This proverb that man is here today and gone tomorrow."

See also: gone, here, tomorrow

put off

Delay or postpone, as in He always puts off paying his bills. This idiom, dating from the late 1300s, gave rise to the proverb Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today, first recorded in the late 1300s (in Chaucer's Tale of Melibee) and repeated ever since. Also see put one off.

See also: off, put

here today, gone tomorrow

or

here today and gone tomorrow

If something or someone is here today, gone tomorrow or here today and gone tomorrow, they are only present or only exist for a short time. There have been numerous schemes designed to provide children who are here today, gone tomorrow with the same educational opportunities as settled children. The freedom that they have is not true freedom, and that's because it's here today and gone tomorrow. Note: Journalists sometimes use here today, gone tomorrow before a noun. The presenter described him as a `here today, gone tomorrow minister'. Note: This expression is used to show disapproval.

See also: gone, here, tomorrow

here today, gone tomorrow

soon over or forgotten; short-lived or transient.

1996 Sunday Telegraph Apparently when people spend their money on things that are here today gone tomorrow, like flowers, food and Champagne, it tells you more about the state of the economy than when they buy solid things.

See also: gone, here, tomorrow

here toˌday, gone toˈmorrow

if something is here today, gone tomorrow, it only exists or stays for a short time: The restaurant staff don’t tend to stay for very long — they’re here today, gone tomorrow. OPPOSITE: be here to stay

See also: gone, here, tomorrow

put off

v.

1. To delay or postpone something: I always put off paying the bills and end up paying a late fee. If you keep putting your homework off, you won't get it done.

2. To persuade someone or something to postpone an activity: I managed to put off the creditors for another week. We succeeded in putting the meeting off until next week.

3. To cause someone to be offended, disgusted, and repelled: His indifferent attitude has put us off. Her arrogance put off the interviewers.

4. To discourage someone from doing something: The bad weather put us off from trying to climb the mountain.

5. To cause someone to be distracted from something and perform poorly: That athlete is sensitive, and too much crowd noise puts off his game. She throws the ball pretty well, but the pain in her arm put her aim off.

See also: off, put

today

mod. now; immediately. (Sarcastic.) I want it done, now—today. Come on. Sam. Move it. Today!

here today and gone tomorrow

Describing an ephemeral phenomenon, a passing fancy, a fad. Originally this expression referred to the relatively brief span of a human life. It was recorded by numerous writers and was included in James Kelly’s Scottish Proverbs of 1721. By the nineteenth century it had become a less serious thought. T. C. Haliburton (Sam Slick) included it in Wise Saws (1843): “I am a bird of passage—here today and gone tomorrow.”

See also: and, gone, here, today, tomorrow