kick into the long grass
To postpone action on something.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“They decided to kick the project into the long grass for now.”
“You should not kick your health concerns into the long grass.”
“The committee realized the proposal was too controversial, so they chose to kick it into the long grass until next year.”
“Instead of fixing the broken software today, the manager wants to kick the problem into the long grass until the new team arrives.”
“Rather than addressing the mounting fiscal deficit immediately, the administration opted to kick the issue into the long grass, hoping to avoid a political confrontation before the election.”
The expression derives from the analogy of kicking a football off the field of play and into the surrounding long grass. In the context of the sport, the manoeuvre serves to halt the game and remove the ball from immediate use. The phrase moved into political and bureaucratic English to describe the act of delaying a decision by referring a matter to a committee or inquiry, effectively removing the issue from the field of active debate.
- 01
a little of something goes a long way
Only a small amount of something is usually required to produce a great effect.
- 02
a week is a long time in politics
In politics, much change can occur in a short space of time.
- 03
as the day is long
Unceasingly; very; thoroughly; to a very high degree.
- 04
come a long way
To make significant progress.
- 05
draw a long bow
To lie; to exaggerate.
- 06
draw the long bow
To exaggerate; to tell tall tales.
- 07
get a kick out of
To be delighted by; to be amused by.
- 08
get one's kicks
To enjoy oneself, to have a good time.
Last updated August 10, 2026