pin on

Idioms  

1. Attribute to someone, especially a wrongdoing or crime. For example, They pinned the murder on the wrong man. This expression uses pin in the sense of “attach.” [First half of 1900s]

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Example Sentences

When he stuck an iron inside 7 feet on the par-3 12th hole, it was the closest anybody had been to the pin on Sunday and set up another birdie.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026

In Armani's refined yet relaxed collection, some men sported a tie pin on their jacket lapel, while male and female models wore matching sparkling brooches.

From Barron's • Jan. 20, 2026

The analyst dropped a pin on the migrants and the VaDER program began tracking their movement in a blue trail.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 15, 2025

The DHS in a statement said Padilla didn't identify himself and was not wearing the Senator's pin on his clothing so officers thought he was an attacker.

From BBC • Jun. 12, 2025

“Handle H” turned out to be a knob, rather like a doorknob, with a pin on the end that would fit into “Hole 7” in the wheel.

From "Z for Zachariah" by Robert C. O’Brien