0440 Put a pin in it - English Idioms

Explanation

To temporarily halt or postpone a discussion, idea, or task with the intention of returning to it later.
It suggests the topic is worth remembering but not suitable for discussion at the current moment.

Origin

Evokes the image of pinning a note or idea onto a noticeboard or map to mark it for later attention.
Became popular office jargon.

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

Let's kick that can down the road. (Often implies procrastination)
Hold that thought. (More immediate, less formal)
Rain check? (Usually for social plans, but can be adapted)

Milder/Standard:

Let's discuss that later.
Can we come back to this?
Let's set that aside for now.

More Formal:

Let's defer this discussion.
We will table this matter for the time being.

Situational Appropriateness

Very common in business meetings and collaborative work environments.
Generally informal to semi-formal.
Can sound a bit abrupt or dismissive if not delivered politely or if used too often.

Misunderstanding Warnings

Non-native speakers might take it literally (looking for a physical pin).
Crucially, they might not understand that it implies an *intention* to return to the topic later (unlike forget about it). Failure to follow up on pinned items can cause frustration.

Examples

That's an interesting idea, but let's put a pin in it for now and focus on the main agenda.
We're running out of time. Can we put a pin in the budget discussion until the next meeting?
Put a pin in that thought; I want to hear more later.

Dialogue

Alice: ...and I also think we should consider rebranding the entire product line!

Bob: Whoa, that's a big topic, Alice. We need to finish the Q3 planning first.

Alice: Okay, fair enough.

Bob: Let's put a pin in the rebranding idea. We can dedicate a separate meeting to it next month. Sound good?

Alice: Yeah, okay. Let's do that.

Response Patterns

Agreement: Okay., Sure., Sounds good., No problem.
Confirmation of revisiting: Okay, when should we come back to it?
Mild disappointment/Acceptance: Alright, but let's not forget it.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After suggesting putting a pin in something:

The conversation typically moves on to the next topic.
Ideally, there's an agreement on *when* or *how* to revisit the topic (e.g., Let's add it to next week's agenda, Remind me after lunch).

Action: Someone might literally make a note of the topic to ensure it's revisited.

Conversation Starter

No.
Used to manage the flow of a discussion, often in meetings or focused work sessions.

Intonation

Emphasis usually on pin. Put a PIN in it.
Often said politely but firmly to redirect a conversation.

Generation Differences

Widely used by working adults, particularly Gen X and Millennials who popularized much of modern office jargon.

Regional Variations

Common in North American English, widely understood in UK/Australian business contexts as well.

Moving forward

🎲 Flag / flag up

[0440] Put a pin in it