back burner

American  

noun

1. a condition of low priority or temporary deferment (usually used in the phraseon the back burner ).

   Put other issues on the back burner until after the election.

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back burner British  

noun

1. put aside for the time being, as a subject that is not of immediate concern but that may be activated later; postponed

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Etymology

Origin of back burner

First recorded in 1945–50; from the custom in cooking of placing pots not requiring immediate attention toward the rear of the stove

Example Sentences

The results highlight the tough road ahead for Tesla as Musk tries to turn the focus to the company’s artificial intelligence and robotics strategies, putting the electric vehicle business on the back burner.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 28, 2026

Tesla has shown how tough it is to build a business around an affordable EV by putting its own affordable vehicle plans on the back burner.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 31, 2025

The Dayforce study comes as Americans grapple with higher housing, healthcare, transportation and childcare costs — all immediate needs that can push retirement savings to the back burner.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 25, 2025

How does your office decide what’s worthy of a suit and what goes on the back burner?

From Slate • Nov. 18, 2025

On the back burner, a pan of polenta simmered and popped.

From "The Season of Styx Malone" by Kekla Magoon