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

It is possible that Jenner hasn’t given much thought to the currently listed home, putting it on the back burner.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 17, 2026

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

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

From Slate • Nov. 18, 2025

The event puts any concerns investors might have had about Qualcomm’s entry into the AI chip market—if they ever had any—on the back burner.

From Barron's • Oct. 28, 2025

Mama Ya-Ya gets up, and picks up the pot of scalded milk from the stove’s back burner.

From "Ninth Ward" by Jewell Parker Rhodes