front burner

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noun

Informal. a condition or position of top priority: Put the project on the front burner and finish it as soon as possible.

QUIZ

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Question 1 of 7

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Origin of front burner

First recorded in 1965–70; by analogy with back burner

front-burner, adjective

Basketball observers who have given him the out-of-sight, out-of-mind treatment should respond by moving him to the front burner.
Remember Kevin Durant? The best player in the East is back for the Brooklyn Nets|Ben Golliver|November 30, 2020|Washington Post
In front of this strange structure are two blank-faced, well-dressed models showing off the latest in European minimalism.
New York’s Most Tragic Ghost Loves Minimalist Swedish Fashion|Nina Strochlic|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
As the protagonist gets herself off in front of her impotent husband, she moans “Oh, Gronky.”
‘A Gronking to Remember’ Speed Read: 8 Naughtiest Bits|Emily Shire|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Granted, James is in an office in the Pentagon, and not on the front lines.
Pentagon Doesn’t Know How Many People It’s Killed in the ISIS War|Nancy A. Youssef|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST

The next phase of the trial consists of vaccinating Ebola workers on the front lines.
The Race for the Ebola Vaccine|Abby Haglage|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Hmm, who are these people standing in front of the machines at the gym, neither occupying them nor not occupying them?
How to Survive the New Year ‘Gympocalypse’|Tim Teeman|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Off went the officers again, some distance to the front, and then back again to their men, and got them on a little further.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
The doors (Indian bungalows have hardly any windows, each door being half glass) were open front and back.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
She got up and stood in front of the fire, having her hand on the chimney-piece and looking down at the blaze.
Confidence|Henry James
Then they all passed out through the great front door to the wide old veranda.
The Boarded-Up House|Augusta Huiell Seaman
He saw a large building, in front of which were long, slender strips of shining steel.
Squinty the Comical Pig|Richard Barnum