on the back burner
1on the back burner — back burner, on the back burner, in a secondary place; set aside or postponed as subordinate: »The first of the High Energy Astronomy Observatory satellites…resumed development earlier this year after being put on the back burner by NASA (Science …
2on the back burner — ► If something is on the back burner, it is not being dealt with at the present time, especially because it is not urgent or important, but it will be dealt with in the future: »Any plans of opening new restaurants are on the back burner until… …
3on the back burner — not getting or needing immediate attention. After months on the back burner, the debate about e mail privacy is about to be renewed. Usage notes: often used with put: She decided to attend Harvard, where she would study political theory and put… …
4on the back burner — mod. out of the way; aside and out of consideration. (See also on the shelf.) □ We will have to put this on the back burner for a while. □ She kept her boyfriend on the back burner until she decided what to do about him …
5on the back burner — 1. adjective Not immediate; inactive; receiving less than full or regular attention. That project is on the back burner until we deal with higher priorities. 2. adverb Not …
6on the back burner — If you put a project or issue on the back burner, you decide to deal with it at a later date because you do not consider it to be that ugent or important. When Julie was offered a promotion she put her MBA plans on the back burner …
7on the back burner — to be done later, not as important The playground project is on the back burner until next spring …
8put something on the back burner — put (something) on the back burner be on the back burner if a plan is on the back burner, no one is dealing with it at present, but it has not been completely forgotten. Plans for a new sports complex have been put on the back burner …
9put on the back burner — put (something) on the back burner be on the back burner if a plan is on the back burner, no one is dealing with it at present, but it has not been completely forgotten. Plans for a new sports complex have been put on the back burner …
10be on the back burner — if a plan is on the back burner, no one is dealing with it at present, but it has not been completely forgotten. For the moment, strike action is on the back burner …
