kicked into the long grass

Verb

kick into the long grass (third-person singular simple present kicks into the long grass, present participle kicking into the long grass, simple past and past participle kicked into the long grass)

1. (idiomatic, transitive) To postpone action on something.
   • Generally, land claims had been treated on an ad hoc and haphazard basis, without any systemic absorption much less systematic response. The prevalent attitude was at best one of indifference or of inclination to kick into the long grass.2011, P. G. McHugh, Aboriginal Title: The Modern Jurisprudence of Tribal Land Rights

   Synonyms:

   hit into the long grass, push into the long grass, punt into the long grass, go into the long grass, kick the can down the road

2. (idiomatic, transitive) To hide or conceal a problem in the hope that it will be overlooked.
   • Given the growth in participation opportunities for women and girls of all ages and the demise of what could truly be said to be 'male-only' sports, s.44 had been kicked into the long grass long before it, like the rest of the 1975 Act, was also repealed by the 2010 legislation.2016, Stefan Horlacher, Transgender and Intersex, page 77

   Synonyms:

   sweep under the rug

See all 3 meanings of kick into the long grass