front burner
C1Informal, Figurative (primarily used metaphorically)
Definition
Meaning
A position of immediate priority or high attention.
A state of being dealt with as a primary concern, with resources and focus directed towards it.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
This is an idiom derived from the literal image of a stove, where pots on the front burners are more accessible and receive more immediate attention than those on the back. It is almost exclusively used metaphorically.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The idiom is equally common and understood in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral connotation relating to project management and prioritization. Can imply urgency or importance.
Frequency
Common in business, management, and journalistic contexts in both regions. Slightly more prevalent in American English media.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[keep/put/move] + [NP] + on the front burnerVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on the front burner”
- “keep/put something on the front burner”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The Q3 revenue target is on the front burner for the management team this month."
Academic
Rare in formal academic prose; more common in administrative or project-planning discussions within academia.
Everyday
"Planning our summer holiday is on the front burner now that we've booked the time off."
Technical
Used in project management and software development to denote high-priority tasks or sprints.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We need to front-burner the client's complaint immediately. (rare, but understood)
American English
- The CEO front-burnered the sustainability initiative. (rare, but understood)
adverb
British English
- Not used.
American English
- Not used.
adjective
British English
- It's a front-burner issue for the council. (hyphenated attributive use)
American English
- She's handling all the front-burner projects this quarter. (hyphenated attributive use)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My homework is on the front burner tonight.
- The company put the new product launch on the front burner.
- With the deadline approaching, finalising the report has been moved to the front burner.
- Despite other emerging crises, the diplomatic negotiations remained firmly on the front burner of the administration's agenda.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a chef in a busy kitchen. The pans on the FRONT BURNER are right in front of him, getting stirred and checked constantly – they are the HIGH-PRIORITY tasks.
Conceptual Metaphor
PRIORITY IS PROXIMITY TO THE HEAT SOURCE (on a stove). IMPORTANT/URGENT THINGS ARE AT THE FRONT.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation like *"передняя горелка"*. Use phrases like "в приоритете", "на первом плане", "срочный вопрос".
Common Mistakes
- Using 'frontburner' as one word (should be two). Confusing with 'forefront' (which is more about prominence than priority).
Practice
Quiz
What is the opposite of 'on the front burner'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Informally, yes (e.g., 'to front-burner something'), but it's less common than the standard phrasal use 'put on the front burner'.
No, it's considered informal or business/informal. In highly formal writing, use alternatives like 'primary priority' or 'immediate concern'.
It originates from the image of a stove (cooker), where the burners at the front are easier to reach and monitor, thus used for cooking that needs more immediate attention.
No, it can refer to any area of life (e.g., family, personal projects, hobbies) where something requires and receives primary focus.