Put a pin in that 📌➡️⏳

Meaning

To postpone discussing or dealing with something until a later time.

Origin

Imagine a busy secretary in the early 1900s. Papers piled high, urgent requests flying in. To manage the chaos, they'd use a physical pin to mark documents or notes that needed follow-up but couldn't be addressed immediately. This acted as a temporary bookmark, a signal to revisit the item later. This simple, tangible act of 'pinning' a thought or task for later became a visual metaphor for deferring a topic, a practice that seamlessly transitioned into our conversations when we need to pause and park an idea.

🗣️ communication ⏳🕰️ time 🔒 secrets

Put a pin in that represented with emoji📌➡️⏳

This playful arrangement of 📌➡️⏳ invites a dialogue on the art of procrastination and the ephemeral nature of our to-do lists. It underscores the universal experience of deferring tasks, gently nudging us to consider the playful dance between immediate needs and future possibilities. Note how the simple visual elegantly captures the fleeting moment when a decision is postponed, a tiny pause in the relentless march of time.

Examples

  • I understand your concern, but let's put a pin in that for now and focus on the urgent task.
  • We have a lot to cover today, so I'll put a pin in that idea for our next meeting.
  • That's a fascinating but rather complex point; let's put a pin in that and perhaps discuss it over tea with a mischievous pixie.
  • Before we get lost in the dragon's treasure, let's put a pin in that and finish our quest for the enchanted sandwich.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'put a pin in that' a formal or informal phrase?

'''Put a pin in that'' is an informal idiom, commonly used in casual conversation and workplace settings.

Similar to "put a pin in that"

Let's table this discussion
Both signal a pause, but 'table this discussion' sounds more formal and parliamentary, like a proposal being set aside for a future vote
We'll circle back to this
Both propose revisiting a topic, but 'circle back' feels more action-oriented and implies a deliberate return after exploring other things
Let's park this for now
Both mean to set something aside temporarily, but 'park this' has a casual, almost physical sense of leaving something in a holding place until ready

Opposite of "put a pin in that"

Let's tackle this head-on
This argues for immediate confrontation, making the tension clear: why delay when you can solve it now?
We need to deal with this by the book
This insists on thorough, immediate processing, highlighting the potential irresponsibility of simply postponing

Related to "put a pin in that"

Don't let it gather dust
This evokes the same fear of neglect as 'put a pin in that' might inspire, but focuses on the negative consequence of *not* returning to it
Put it on the back burner
This phrase shares the metaphor of setting something aside to simmer, suggesting a lower priority while other tasks take precedence
Set it aside
This is the most direct and unadorned version of the act of postponing, lacking the specific imagery of a pin or a burner
Hold that thought
This is a more immediate form of postponement, indicating a brief pause before continuing a train of thought that might otherwise be lost