IdiomDaily Life
German
Germanetwas auf die lange Bank schieben
Meaning: to postpone or delay something indefinitely.
Literally: To push something onto the long bench
Example: “Die Steuererklärung schiebe ich jedes Jahr auf die lange Bank.” — Every year I put my tax return on the back burner.
English equivalent: To put something on the back burner
Equivalents in other languages
Russian: отложить в долгий ящик (otlozhit' v dolgiy yashchik) Literally: To set aside in a long drawer
English: put something on the back burner
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 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.
- 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.
- feucht hinter den Ohren Young, inexperienced, or naive.
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