finger in the dyke

Desperate temporary fix

A finger in the dyke is a small, temporary measure to prevent a larger disaster—from the Dutch tale of a boy who plugged a leaking dam with his finger to save his town.

The phrase usually implies the fix is inadequate: Raising interest rates is just a finger in the dyke.

Sometimes spelled *dike*.

stopgap

temporary

Limited in duration

makeshiftTemporary, improvised substitute
band-aidAdhesive strip for cuts
quick fixHasty temporary solution

palliative · interim · short-term · patchwork · expedient · plugging · staunching · stemming · improvised · jury-rigged

prevention

barricade

Obstacle blocking a path

barrierObstruction preventing passage
bulwarkDefensive fortification or safeguard
damWater-holding barrier

levee · floodgate · seawall · holding back · averting · forestalling · warding off · staving off · flood control · breach

precariousness

vulnerability

Openness to harm

fragilityEase of breaking
weaknessDeficiency in force
instabilityTendency toward unpredictable change

exposure · risk · peril · imminent danger · tipping point · brink · on the edge · overwhelmed · inevitable · futility

Opposites

solution type

finger in the dykecomplete overhaul

cure · final answer

response approach

finger in the dykeprevention

Stopping something before occurring

decisive action · infrastructure investment · preparedness

problem engagement

finger in the dykeabandonment

Act of leaving permanently

capitulation · throwing in the towel · giving up · letting nature take its course · controlled demolition

Family

finger, fingers, fingered, fingering, dyke, dykes

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG