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

Combining SpaceX and Tesla was also reportedly floated by Musk and his executives — but that could be put on the back burner.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 2, 2026

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

From Slate • Nov. 18, 2025

Of the five, Gish is her least favorite, a girl every bit as clever as she was — a reminder of what she’s permanently put on the back burner.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 17, 2025

The quarterly results could push trade concerns to the back burner once again.

From Barron's • Oct. 13, 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