Let's put a pin in it 📌🔜
Meaning
Let's postpone discussing or deciding something until a later time.
Origin
The phrase likely originates from the world of sewing and crafting, where a pin is used to temporarily hold fabric or mark a specific spot. Imagine a tailor or seamstress examining a garment, needing to set it aside for a moment but wanting to remember exactly where to return. They'd stick a pin in the cloth, a physical marker for a future action. This practical, tangible image of marking a point for later, without losing one's place, smoothly transitioned into the spoken language, becoming our modern idiom for deferring a topic or decision.
Let's put a pin in it represented with emoji📌🔜
This playful juxtaposition of a pushpin and a right arrow functions as a delightful visual shorthand, inviting us to consider the delightful pause, the sweet deferral. It underscores the inherent humor in delaying decisions, a gentle nudge to embrace the temporary suspension of immediate resolution. Note how the image captures the fleeting nature of our urge to conclude, opting instead for a moment of whimsical contemplation.
Examples
- We have too many other urgent tasks today, so let's put a pin in this discussion for now.
- I'm not sure about the best approach for the marketing campaign yet; let's put a pin in it until we have more data.
- The idea of a unicorn-powered hot air balloon is intriguing, but let's put a pin in it and focus on the budget first.
- Contemplating whether squirrels can indeed pilot tiny spaceships is fascinating, but let's put a pin in it until after lunch.
Frequently asked questions
'Let's put a pin in it' is best classified as an idiom. Idioms are phrases whose meaning cannot be deduced from the literal meanings of its constituent words, which fits this expression perfectly as it's not about literally placing a pin.
The opposite of 'Let's put a pin in it' is often 'Let's address it now' or 'Let's deal with this immediately'. This involves tackling a topic or making a decision right away, rather than deferring it.
While commonly understood, 'Let's put a pin in it' leans informal and is more suited for casual conversations or meetings among colleagues who have a relaxed rapport. In highly formal or official contexts, a more direct phrase like 'Let's defer this discussion' or 'We will revisit this topic later' might be more appropriate.
The exact origin of who first uttered 'Let's put a pin in it' is unknown, as is common with many idioms. Its roots likely stem from the practical act of using pins in sewing or crafting to temporarily mark a spot, a visual metaphor that gradually entered everyday language.