Idiom
back burner
Meanings
a postponed or lower-priority task, plan, or issue that may be returned to later
Definition
A lower priority than more urgent or important matters.
If something is on the back burner, it is not being dealt with right now because other things are more important. People use this idiom when a plan or task is postponed but not completely cancelled. It suggests the idea of keeping something for later while focusing on what needs attention first.
Examples
- We had to put the vacation plans on the back burner until work calms down.
- Her research project went on the back burner after the new client arrived.
- I’m keeping my side business on the back burner for now.
- They decided to move the redesign to the back burner and fix the bugs first.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes say "in the back burner" instead of the correct phrase "on the back burner."
More at B2 level
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More noun phrase (idiom)s
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