We’ve all been there—something comes up, and you can’t make it to that dinner, concert, or meeting you were looking forward to.
But instead of just cancelling, why not ask for a rain check? It shows you’re still interested and opens the door for rescheduling. Here are clever and polite ways to ask for a rain check that keep the conversation light and friendly.
Top List Of Ways to Ask for A Rain Check
- “Can we hit pause on this?”
- “Can we reschedule?”
- “Let’s rain check this!”
- “Can we put this on hold?”
- “How about we touch base later?”
- “Can we pencil this in for another time?”
- “Is it cool if we plan for later?”
- “Can we regroup another time?”
- “Can we set this aside for now?”
- “Can we hold off for a bit?”
- “How about a rain check?”
- “I need to bow out for now.”
- “Can we reschedule this for next week?”
- “I’m not available, but let’s reconnect soon.”
- “Can we save this for later?”
- “I’d love to, but I can’t today.”
- “Can we shift this to another day?”
- “How about we catch up later?”
- “Let’s take a rain check on this.”
- “Can we reschedule for another time?”
- “Can we postpone?”
- “Let’s hold off for now.”
- “Can we take a rain check?”
1. “Can we hit pause on this?”
This casual phrase conveys that you’re interested but need to step back for now. It’s a great way to express your intent without sounding overly formal.
Examples:
- “Hey, I’d love to grab coffee, but can we hit pause on this? Something came up.”
- “I’m really looking forward to our lunch! Can we hit pause on this and reschedule for next week?”
- “This project sounds exciting, but can we hit pause on this? I have a prior commitment.”
2. “Can we reschedule?”
A straightforward and clear option, asking to reschedule communicates your desire to find a new time without any ambiguity.
Examples:
- “I’m sorry, but can we reschedule our meeting for next week?”
- “I can’t make it tonight. Can we reschedule our dinner for another time?”
- “I would love to join the webinar. Can we reschedule my attendance for the next one?”
3. “Let’s rain-check this!”
This phrase is playful and direct, making it clear that you want to postpone rather than cancel altogether.
Examples:
- “I’m feeling a bit under the weather. Let’s raincheck this coffee date!”
- “I can’t make it to the game. Let’s rain-check it for next month!”
- “I wanted to join the book club tonight, but let’s rain-check this one!”
4. “Can we put this on hold?”
Using this phrase indicates that you want to revisit the idea in the future, leaving room for further discussion.
Examples:
- “This sounds like a fun plan, but can we put this on hold for now?”
- “I’d like to hear more about your proposal, but can we put this on hold until next week?”
- “I’d love to join the hike! Can we put this on hold until the weather clears?”
5. “How about we touch base later?”
This option is friendly and suggests that you want to keep the lines of communication open.
Examples:
- “I can’t chat right now, but how about we touch base later this week?”
- “I’m busy today, but how about we touch base later about our plans?”
- “I’m tied up this afternoon; can we touch base later to finalize the details?”
6. “Can we pencil this in for another time?”
This phrase is both polite and flexible, showing that you still value the plan and want to make it happen.
Examples:
- “I can’t meet tomorrow. Can we pencil this in for next week instead?”
- “I’d love to join the dinner, but can we pencil this in for another time?”
- “Let’s pencil this in for next month; I’m looking forward to it!”
7. “Is it cool if we plan for later?”
A casual and friendly way to ask for a rain check, this phrase keeps things light-hearted and easygoing.
Examples:
- “I’m swamped right now. Is it cool if we plan for later this month?”
- “I can’t make it today. Is it cool if we plan for next Saturday instead?”
- “I’m really busy this week; is it cool if we plan for later?”
8. “Can we regroup another time?”
This phrase implies that you’re open to reconnecting and continuing the conversation at a later date.
Examples:
- “I need to focus on something else right now. Can we regroup another time?”
- “I’d love to chat about this, but can we regroup another time when I’m free?”
- “Let’s regroup another time to catch up; I can’t today.”
9. “Can we set this aside for now?”
This phrase indicates that while you value the conversation, you need to prioritize something else for the moment.
Examples:
- “I’m overwhelmed with work. Can we set this aside for now and revisit it later?”
- “I appreciate your input, but can we set this aside for now? I need to focus on deadlines.”
- “Let’s set this aside for now and discuss it when things calm down.”
10. “Can we hold off for a bit?”
This phrase is casual and gives the impression that you’re still keen but need to pause for now.
Examples:
- “I can’t swing it this week; can we hold off for a bit?”
- “This sounds interesting, but can we hold off for a bit? I have too much on my plate.”
- “I’d love to participate, but can we hold off for a bit until I’m less busy?”
11. “How about a rain check?”
A direct option, this phrase is widely understood and appreciated for its simplicity.
Examples:
- “I can’t make it to the event tonight; how about a rain check?”
- “I want to catch up, but how about a rain check for this weekend?”
- “I’d love to join the meeting, but how about a rain check for the next one?”
12. “I need to bow out for now.”
Using this phrase communicates respect for the other person’s time while making it clear you wish to step away temporarily.
Examples:
- “I need to bow out for now; can we chat later this week?”
- “I’m sorry, but I need to bow out for now; work has gotten hectic.”
- “I need to bow out for now, but I’d love to reconnect next month.”
13. “Can we reschedule this to next week?”
This option is clear and proposes a specific timeframe for the new plan, making it easier to set a new date.
Examples:
- “I can’t meet today. Can we reschedule this to next week instead?”
- “I have a conflict tonight; can we reschedule this to next week?”
- “Let’s reschedule this to next week when I’m free.”
14. “I’m not available, but let’s reconnect soon.”
This phrase acknowledges your unavailability while reinforcing your interest in maintaining the connection.
Examples:
- “I’m not available this week, but let’s reconnect soon for that coffee.”
- “I can’t join the call; I’m not available, but let’s reconnect soon!”
- “I’m tied up today, but I’m not available. Let’s reconnect soon!”
15. “Can we save this for later?”
This phrase is a gentle way to express your desire to postpone without making it sound like a definite no.
Examples:
- “I can’t discuss this right now; can we save this for later?”
- “This is important, but can we save this for later when I have more time?”
- “I’d like to chat about it, but can we save this for later?”
16. “I’d love to, but I can’t today.”
This response is honest and direct, making it clear that you genuinely want to meet but simply can’t at this moment.
Examples:
- “I’d love to go to the concert, but I can’t today. Let’s plan for another time!”
- “I’d love to join the meeting, but I can’t today. Can we reschedule?”
- “I’d love to have dinner, but I can’t today. Let’s try for next week?”
17. “Can we shift this to another day?”
This phrase is assertive yet polite, suggesting you want to make plans but need to change the date.
Examples:
- “I’m busy today; can we shift this to another day?”
- “This sounds great, but can we shift this to another day when I’m free?”
- “Can we shift this to another day? I have prior commitments.”
18. “How about we catch up later?”
A friendly way to express your intent to stay connected without putting pressure on the other person.
Examples:
- “I’m tied up today. How about we catch up later this week?”
- “I can’t make it to the meeting; how about we catch up later?”
- “I’d love to chat! How about we catch up later when I’m free?”
19. “Let’s take a rain check on this.”
A friendly phrase that leaves room for plans while acknowledging the current situation.
Examples:
- “I need to cancel our plans. Let’s take a rain check on this?”
- “I’m sorry, but let’s take a rain check on this until next month.”
- “I can’t make it tonight. Let’s take a rain check on that dinner?”
20. “Can we reschedule for another time?”
A simple, straightforward request that conveys your interest while prioritizing your current commitments.
Examples:
- “I’m busy this weekend; can we reschedule for another time?”
- “I can’t make it to the event; can we reschedule for another time?”
- “I’d love to go out, but can we reschedule for another time?”
21. “Can we postpone?”
This direct option leaves no room for misunderstanding and conveys your need to delay without guilt.
Examples:
- “I can’t make it; can we postpone until next week?”
- “I’m really busy at the moment. Can we postpone our meeting?”
- “Let’s postpone our catch-up until next month when I’m free.”
22. “Let’s hold off for now.”
A casual option, this phrase communicates your intent to take a break without closing the door entirely.
Examples:
- “I’m overwhelmed right now; let’s hold off for now and catch up later.”
- “Can we hold off for now? I need to focus on a few other things.”
- “This sounds great, but let’s hold off for now until my schedule clears.”
23. “Can we take a rain check?”
Another straightforward and widely recognized phrase that leaves open the possibility of plans.
Examples:
- “I can’t join the movie tonight; can we take a rain check?”
- “I’d love to go hiking, but can we take a rain check for next weekend?”
- “I can’t make the dinner; can we take a rain check and try for next month?”
Conclusion
Asking for a rain check doesn’t have to be awkward or uncomfortable. With these creative and polite phrases, you can gracefully navigate your way through scheduling conflicts while maintaining your relationships. So next time life gets in the way, feel free to use one of these options, and keep the door open for plans!
𝐈’𝐦 Ella Rose 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 “𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐬 ” 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐨𝐫. 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐟𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬. 𝐈 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞. 𝐀𝐭 “𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐬” 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬. 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐚 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐝𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐨𝐫.
Celia Anne 
Olivia Bloom