finger in the dike
Desperate makeshift solution
A finger in the dike is a stopgap measure—a small effort to hold back a much larger problem.
The image comes from the Dutch legend of a boy who plugged a leak in a dike with his finger to prevent flooding.
The phrase often carries a sense of futility or temporary delay: Budget cuts are just a finger in the dike; the whole system needs reform.
Traditional narrative passed down
- mythTraditional explanatory tale
- heroismExceptional courage under duress
- Dutch boyYoung male from Holland
- leakEscape through a breach
seawall · rescue · sacrifice · altruism · ingenuity · legendary · fable · childhood
Limited in duration
- makeshiftTemporary, improvised substitute
- band-aidAdhesive strip for cuts
- interimProvisional in-between phase
- provisionalConditional and possibly temporary
improvised · patchwork · expedient · short-term · emergency · palliative · ad-hoc · holding action
Obstruction preventing passage
- safeguardPrecaution against harm
- protectionGuarding against harm
- avertingPreventing by action
- containmentPreventing hostile expansion
deterrence · vigilance · early warning · intervention · holding back · stemming · plugging · breach
Northwestern European constitutional monarchy
- HollandWestern Dutch region
- polderDiked tract below sea level
- windmillRotating structure harnessing air
- canalsConstructed water passages
flood control · water management · reclamation · Low Countries · levee · seawall
Beyond possibility of success
- SisypheanEndlessly, pointlessly laborious
- vainExcessively proud or futile
- uselessWithout practical value
- fruitlessProducing no useful outcome
pointless · ineffectual · unavailing · doomed · overwhelmed · inevitable · losing battle · insurmountable
folktale
Traditional narrative passed down
- mythTraditional explanatory tale
- heroismExceptional courage under duress
- Dutch boyYoung male from Holland
leak · seawall · rescue · sacrifice · altruism · ingenuity · legendary · fable · childhood · bravery
temporary
Limited in duration
- makeshiftTemporary, improvised substitute
- band-aidAdhesive strip for cuts
- interimProvisional in-between phase
provisional · improvised · patchwork · expedient · short-term · emergency · palliative · ad-hoc · holding action · patch
barrier
Obstruction preventing passage
- safeguardPrecaution against harm
- protectionGuarding against harm
- avertingPreventing by action
containment · deterrence · vigilance · early warning · intervention · holding back · stemming · plugging · breach · flood control
Netherlands
Northwestern European constitutional monarchy
- HollandWestern Dutch region
- polderDiked tract below sea level
- windmillRotating structure harnessing air
canals · flood control · water management · reclamation · Low Countries · levee · seawall
hopeless
Beyond possibility of success
- SisypheanEndlessly, pointlessly laborious
- vainExcessively proud or futile
- uselessWithout practical value
fruitless · pointless · ineffectual · unavailing · doomed · overwhelmed · inevitable · losing battle · insurmountable · deluge
finger in the dikeprevention
Stopping something before occurring
proactive planning · preventive maintenance · early warning system
finger in the dikeall hands on deck
Everyone must participate
Marshall Plan · scorched earth · shock and awe · nuclear option