I am currently looking for words that mean, "To nullify an event or call, by ignoring the event or call, until the event or call has passed". I know Pocket-veto fits the bill (I apologize in advance for this pun), however I'm looking for a more informal word, as I can best describe it. Thanks.
3 Answers
In US English, you can use to table
Postpone consideration of:
I'd like the issue to be tabled for the next few months
By tabling a bill, either literally or figuratively, the president effectively pocket vetoes it if it's less than ten days before Congress adjourns.
-
1Be aware, in Australian English (not sure about British) this means the exact opposite, to table an issue means to discuss it right now. I assume the interpretation stems from putting sth on the table. I learned this the hard way... ;)– falstroCommented Dec 1, 2016 at 9:25
If you want very informal:
to ignore, evade, or treat as unimportant ("I mentioned his insulting remark, and he just blew the whole thing off"); to not go to or participate in ("He blew off his first-period class three times that week"); to fail to meet (someone) as planned without alerting the person beforehand ("I waited 20 minutes before I realized my sister had blown me off").
(dictionary.com)
Perhaps this, which implies that missing the opportunity is not intentional:
miss the boat - (informal) to lose an opportunity to do something by being slow to act
If there is full intent, you might just pass on it, or take a pass on it.
pass on something - to refuse an opportunity