etwas auf die lange Bank schieben
Meaning: to postpone or delay something indefinitely.
Language: German
Literally: to push something onto the long bench
Category: Daily Life
Origin: The long bench of a judge's table or administrative desk, where documents to be dealt with later were placed; thus associated with procrastination.
More idioms — Daily Life
- in die Quere kommen — to interfere with someone, to get in the way or obstruct.
- von einem Tag auf den anderen — very quickly, suddenly, or overnight.
- außer Rand und Band geraten — To lose control and behave wildly or unruly.
- ein Liedchen singen können — To have direct, personal knowledge of something through lived experience.
- sein Damaskus erleben — To undergo a sudden, transformative spiritual or moral awakening.
- auf den Schlips treten — To offend or insult someone, to hurt their feelings or pride.
More German idioms
- zu Grabe tragen — to bury or permanently give up on something such as a hope, plan, or wish.
- aus dem Handgelenk — done with ease and without much effort or advance preparation; offhand.
- nur Bahnhof verstehen — to understand nothing at all of what is being said.
- Staub aufwirbeln — To cause trouble or create a dramatic disturbance.
- ein Esel schimpft den andern Langohr — A person criticizes another for the same fault they themselves possess.
- nah am Wasser gebaut — Someone who cries easily or is prone to tears.
From our compliments & insults
- Du hast ein Händchen dafür — You have a real knack — a natural gift that makes difficult things look easy.
- Du hast Köpfchen — You're sharp and clever — you use your brain well.
- Du bist klasse — You're brilliant — excellent, impressive, top-notch.