Definition of "push off"

I looked with sympathetic awe and fearfulness upon the man, who in mid-winter just landed from a four years’ dangerous voyage, could so unrestingly push off again for still another tempestuous term.

1851, Herman Melville, Moby Dick‎, chapter 23

Far from precipitating that event therefore he pushed it off until the very last moment, when, in fact, there was no alternative left him.

1826, James Prior, Memoir of the Life and Character of the Right Hon. Edmund Burke, Second Edition, Volume II, Baldwin, Cradock, and Joy (publisher), page 210

1977 March 9, “Crim-code issue pushes off vote on medicaid repeal veto”, in The Kingman Daily Miner, page 7

After hours of detailed debate stretching late into the night Monday, the San Rafael City Council pushed off a decision until Aug. 6 to allow for further deliberation.

2007 July 17, Jennifer Upshaw, Loch Lomond decision delayed, in Marin Independent Journal

It deferred capabilities, such as mobile data processors for the Air Force and the Army and a fully compliant backup mission control facility, and it pushed off a decision to procure the third and fourth satellites.

2007 September 12, Christina Chaplain, Government Accountability Office, GAO-07-1088R Space Based Infrared System High Program and its Alternative, DIANE Publishing, page 3

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid today pushed off a planned vote on legislation to reform rules for off-shore oil drilling, because the bill lacked the votes to overcome Republican opposition.

2010 August 3, Mark Arsenault, “Reid pushes vote on off-shore drilling legislation to after August recess”, Boston.com (The Boston Globe online)