long finger

long finger

A state of postponement or procrastination. (Used especially in the phrase "put something on the long finger.") Primarily heard in Ireland. It looks like increased funding for education has been left on the long finger by the Dáil yet again. I've been meaning to send in my application, but I keep putting it on the long finger.
See also: finger, long
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • on the long finger
  • give (one) the finger
  • give somebody the finger
  • give someone the finger
  • give someone/something the finger
  • give the finger
  • get (one's) finger out
  • get your finger out
  • point at
  • pull my finger
References in periodicals archive
McCarthy asked Bamford (above) to declare for Ireland earlier this year but the Leeds United forward put a decision on the long finger.
The cove is shaped in a semi-circle, separated from the rest of the lake by a long finger of sandbar that sticks out into the lake about a hundred feet, giving the appearance of an enclosed enclave for its denizens.
If you were ever in his office and he was pointing that long finger at you, best believe that if the phone rang -- even if he was in mid-sentence -- he would stop and answer the phone.
Ring finger, thumb, and long finger were observed to be the most frequent trigger fingers.
He was highly skilled in his craft, his long finger nimbly created small figurines in clay while he carried on with his discussions, as if they had a life of their own.
(22) Likewise, resistance of the long finger proximal interphalangeal joint (IPJ) to flexion--a maneuver performed with elbow fully extended--assesses compression from the fibrous arcade of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS).
Certified seeds of 12 Okra varieties/Lines (Long finger, Lush green, Green gold, China Red, SabzPari, JKOH-635, OK-407, PusaSawani, Punjab Selection, N-220, Najuka, ArkaAnamika) were taken from Ayub Agricultural Research Institute (AARI), Faisalabad.
The cooks and chefs with long finger nails are more likely to pass on food bugs such as E.coli to consumers.
Pterosaurs, flying reptiles that lived at the same time as dinosaurs, had fleshy wings supported by a short bone called the pteroid bone and by a long finger bone.
Despite a vow by Enda Kenny that the paper would be published by December, the Taoiseach admitted the time frame won't be reached and it could be put on the long finger by the Cabinet.
So they put the project on the long finger and do nothing.
The 48-year-old veteran actor plays pale-faced and long finger nailed vampire Barnabas Collins in a new Tim Burton film, based on a 1960s TV drama of the same name, the Mirror reported.
Ms Harney insisted it would take months to prepare new legislation but dismissed suggestions she was putting the divisive issue on the long finger.
Western Rail Corridor phase two is not put on the long finger. Navan rail line is not put on the long finger despite reports to the contrary .