back burner
C1Informal, idiomatic
Definition
Meaning
A metaphorical place for projects, ideas, or issues that are not currently being actively pursued or given priority.
A state of low priority or deferred action. Can also refer to a low-heat setting on a stove.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Almost exclusively used in the idiomatic construction "on/put on/move to the back burner." The literal cooking sense (stove's rear heating element) is far less common.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in idiomatic usage. The literal stove sense might be less common in UK kitchens, where "hob" is used more than "burner."
Connotations
Identical connotations of postponement and deprioritization.
Frequency
Similar high frequency in idiomatic use in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[put/move] + [project/issue] + on/to the back burnerThe + [project/issue] + is/remains + on the back burnerVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “On the back burner”
- “Put something on the back burner”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The expansion into Asia has been put on the back burner until Q3 due to budget constraints."
Academic
"The researcher decided to put that line of inquiry on the back burner in favor of more promising data."
Everyday
"We've had to put our holiday plans on the back burner while we save for a new car."
Technical
Rare in highly technical contexts except for project management.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The IT upgrade has been back-burnered until the new financial year.
American English
- Management decided to back-burner the rebranding initiative.
adverb
British English
- The proposal was sent back-burner for the foreseeable future.
American English
- The idea went back-burner after the initial review.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Our plan to redecorate is on the back burner right now.
- He put his hobby on the back burner while studying for exams.
- Due to the market downturn, the product launch has been moved to the back burner.
- Several interesting research proposals are currently sitting on the back burner.
- The constitutional reforms, once a flagship policy, have been unceremoniously consigned to the back burner.
- Strategic partnerships often get back-burnered in favor of dealing with immediate operational crises.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a chef with four pots cooking. The front two pots (high priority) are bubbling furiously. The back two pots (back burner) are just simmering quietly, waiting for later attention.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRIORITY IS PROXIMITY (TO THE COOK) / ATTENTION IS HEAT.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque "задняя горелка." Use "отложить в долгий ящик" or "поставить на паузу." The phrase describes a state, not an object.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a verb without 'put' or 'move' (e.g., 'We will back burner the project' – incorrect). Confusing it with 'backlog' (which is a list, not a state of postponement).
Practice
Quiz
What does it mean if a project is 'on the back burner'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Informally, yes, especially in business/project contexts (e.g., 'We back-burnered it'), but the standard idiomatic form is 'put/move something on the back burner.'
Yes. 'Front burner' is a less common antonym, meaning something is a high priority or receiving immediate attention (e.g., 'Getting the report finished is a front-burner issue.').
Yes. On traditional stoves, the burners at the back are less accessible and thus used for things that can simmer unattended, while the front burners are for active cooking.
It is informal and idiomatic. In very formal writing, alternatives like 'deferred,' 'postponed,' or 'deprioritized' are preferable.