The idiom ‘put on the long finger' means ‘to postpone something'. The video explains the meaning of the idiom ‘put on the long finger' in English. We explain how to use it with some easy examples for Social and Business English.
Some say the meaning of this idiom is ‘to postpone indefinitely’, but in reality, whatever has been delayed or postponed is not always indefinite - sometimes it’s temporary. Like when plans get put on the long finger because a bigger priority task has come about, or when the engagement is put on the long finger for many years because they don’t want to get married at the moment.
Further Examples:
I put my dinner on the long finger, but now it’s the evening time. I better order a takeaway.
He took a career break, but then put applying for a job on the long finger. Now, it’s three years later and he’s still unemployed.