MEME REFERENCE

Poke with stick

Use Poke with stick when a delay or recurring problem has lasted far longer than anyone expected.

What it expresses: Delay and repetition: the figure prodding an inert object and asking it to do something represents a moment where a delay or recurring problem has lasted far longer than anyone expected.
Example: For example, an approval promised yesterday is still pending three weeks later; the visual analogy is the figure prodding an inert object and asking it to do something, signaling that a delay or recurring problem has lasted far longer than anyone expected.
When not to use it: Avoid when the event happened once and ended promptly; the figure prodding an inert object and asking it to do something would incorrectly signal that a delay or recurring problem has lasted far longer than anyone expected.