The idiomatic expression "on the back burner" means that something is being given a lower priority, temporarily delayed, or postponed. It implies that the item or task is not being actively worked on but is still being considered for future attention. It's not forgotten, but it's not urgent.
The phrase originates from the literal practice of cooking on a stove, where the back burner is typically used for simmering or keeping food warm, indicating a lower level of heat and attention than the front burners.
The register is generally neutral to informal. It's acceptable in everyday conversation and many types of writing, but might be too colloquial for highly formal or academic contexts.
The phrase "on the back burner" is grammatically flexible. It can be used with verbs like put, keep, place, be, or go. It can be modified by adverbs like slightly or temporarily. You can also negate it to emphasize urgency. For example, "We cannot put this issue on the back burner."
It sounds unnatural to over-literalize the expression or use it in contexts where the figurative meaning doesn't apply. For example, saying "The pot is on the back burner" when you literally mean a pot is on the stove's back burner is not idiomatic use.
"It goes on the back burner." — The New York Times
"We put the other thing on the back burner." — The New York Times - Sports
"Second, put your own routine on the back burner." — Independent
"Our marriage was put on the back burner." — The New York Times
"We cannot put this issue on the back burner." — The New York Times
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/on+the+back+burner
| Phrase | Context |
|---|---|
| on hold | Temporarily suspended; awaiting further action. |
| shelved | Postponed indefinitely, possibly abandoned. |
| postponed | Delayed to a later time. |
| deferred | Officially delayed, often to a specific future date. |
| put off | Delayed or postponed, often due to reluctance. |
| tabled | Postponed, often for discussion at a later meeting. |
| taking a backseat | Given less importance or attention. |
A common mistake is misunderstanding the meaning as something literally related to cooking or a less important task, or using it in formal contexts.
| Expression | Idiomatic Meaning | Register | Avoid In |
|---|---|---|---|
| on the back burner | Given lower priority or temporarily delayed. | Neutral to informal | Highly formal or academic writing. |
"On the back burner" is primarily used figuratively to describe something being given lower priority. While you could technically use it literally to describe a pot on a stove's back burner, that would rarely be the intended meaning in most contexts.
Both "on the back burner" and "on hold" indicate a delay, but "on the back burner" suggests the item is still under consideration, just not actively being worked on. "On hold" implies a more indefinite suspension, often awaiting external factors or a decision before proceeding.
If you realize you've used "on the back burner" in a formal context, replace it with a more professional alternative like "deferred," "postponed," or "given lower priority." This will maintain the meaning while aligning with the tone of the situation.
Tools