kick (something) into touch

1. In rugby or soccer, to kick the ball outside of the bounds of play (i.e., "into touch"). Primarily heard in UK. Their team has been kicking the ball into touch much more frequently in these final minutes as they attempt to defend a narrow lead.

2. By extension, to halt or stall something, especially a plan or project, so as to postpone having to make a decision or action regarding it. Primarily heard in UK. I say we kick the app release date into touch until we can all agree on a marketing plan for it.

kick something into touch

mainly BRITISH

If you kick something into touch, you stop it happening or succeeding. The controversial proposal to stage the World Cup every two years was kicked into touch yesterday — by its creator. Her challenge for the US Women's Open Championship was kicked into touch by a foot injury yesterday. Note: In rugby football, when the ball is kicked into touch it is kicked over one of the lines along each side of the pitch.

kick something into touch

remove something from the centre of attention or activity. British informal

In football and rugby, the touchlines mark the sides of the playing area and if the ball is kicked beyond these (into touch ), it is no longer in play.

1998 New Scientist The British public is more interested in these matters than many politicians think. Such issues cannot be kicked into touch.