front burner

noun

1. Informal.,  a condition or position of top priority.

   Put the project on the front burner and finish it as soon as possible.

Other Word Forms

• front-burner adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of front burner¹

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

Example Sentences

“It’s not really on the front burner,” added Glen Murray, the Kings director of player development “I haven’t really thought about it a lot.”

From Los Angeles Times

With firms less desperate for talent and diversity, equity and inclusion programs no longer on the front burner, initiatives like skills-based hiring can lose momentum.

From Seattle Times

I told him that this was on the front burner and that it would get appropriate attention.”

From Seattle Times

A top Department of Energy official in charge of overseeing the agency’s efficiency standards was in the hot seat Tuesday as House Republicans put gas stoves back on the front burner.

From Washington Times

“It looks like it won’t breach. That is good. That is one less thing we have to have on our front burner,” Montpelier Town Manager Bill Fraser said.

From Seattle Times