ENGLISH
REFERENCE

kick into the long grass

idiom
Meaning

To postpone action on something.


Origin

disputed origin

An analogy of kicking a football off the playing field so that it is out of play.

Examples
SIMPLE

They decided to kick the project into the long grass for now.

CONTEXTUAL

The committee realized the proposal was too controversial, so they chose to kick it into the long grass until next year.

COMPLEX

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.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    a little of something goes a long way

    Only a small amount of something is usually required to produce a great effect.

  2. 02

    a week is a long time in politics

    In politics, much change can occur in a short space of time.

  3. 03

    as the day is long

    Unceasingly; very; thoroughly; to a very high degree.

  4. 04

    come a long way

    To make significant progress.

  5. 05

    draw a long bow

    To lie; to exaggerate.

  6. 06

    draw the long bow

    To exaggerate; to tell tall tales.

  7. 07

    get a kick out of

    To be delighted by; to be amused by.

  8. 08

    go a long way

    To be adequate or helpful for a significant amount of time.

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