long finger
A state of postponement or procrastination.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I always put exercise on the long finger.”
“She kept putting her dentist appointment on the long finger until the toothache became unbearable.”
“For years he had put his father's letters on the long finger, promising himself he would reply tomorrow, until the old man passed away and the chance was lost forever.”
From Middle English *longe fyngyr* and *longue finguer*. The term appears as a literal anatomical designation before its later idiomatic development.
- 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
all fingers and thumbs
Of a person, clumsy or awkward.
- 04
as the day is long
Unceasingly; very; thoroughly; to a very high degree.
- 05
burn one's fingers
To harm oneself; to suffer consequences of one's actions.
- 06
come a long way
To make significant progress.
- 07
draw a long bow
To lie; to exaggerate.
- 08
draw the long bow
To exaggerate; to tell tall tales.
Last updated August 10, 2026