to put on the back burner
1
5.6
- phrasal verb
:
posponer
- After the unexpected changes at work, my vacation plans were put on the back burner until next year.
And so if you're not aligned with that, then that's something that you should not put on the back burner or not.
- And so if you're not aligned with that, then that's something that you should not put on the back burner or not.
Examples
-
Toni has been passionate about running and fitness since she was 19, but her passions were put on the back burner while she started her family and went to nursing school.
Blog text (32) -
Obesity is ravaging the country, and there is no reason that it should be put on the back burner.
Blog text (30) -
These areas were put on the back burner for later, but the need to address them is currently urgent.
Blog text (10) -
This whale protection measure was put on the back burner for nearly a decade.
Academic text (1996) -
We had so many projects in the hopper that pursuing this project had to be put on the back burner.
Blog text (16) -
Thus, for the next few years, if not longer, the issue of Ukrainian membership in NATO is likely to be put on the back burner.
Academic text (2010) -
The Patient's Bill of Rights, such a hot topic under the Clinton administration, seems, at least temporarily, to have been put on the back burner.
Academic text (2001) -
I have had some family issues that need to be taken care of over the past three years that can no longer be put on the back burner.
Blog text (10) -
My blogging took a hit lately and was put on the back burner.
Blog text (8) -
They are letting opportunities take over while their so-called priorities are put on the back burner.
Blog text (11)
Synonyms
166
4.3
To delay doing something on purpose to get more time
113
2.9
Delay something until a later time
103
3.4
To stop thinking about something for a short time
78
3.8
To wait before doing something
37
4.2
To wait before doing something
16
3.5
Wait before doing something because you feel unsure
15
5.5
To delay something until a later time
13
7.3
To delay discussion or a decision about something until later
11
5.8
To delay a plan or project for a while
6
4.8
To delay doing something to get more time
1
8.0
To delay making a decision or taking action
Delay talking about an idea until later
Delay a project to work on more important tasks
To stop work on a project for a time and start it again later
Delay making a decision by waiting instead of choosing
To put a plan aside and often leave it without action
Antonyms
How Postponed
Surface Forms
Morphology
put + on + the + back + burner
The phrase uses a cooking metaphor — placing something on the 'back burner' (a less active part of the stove) — so the abstract meaning 'defer or deprioritize' is a metaphorical extension of the literal parts. This mapping is partly inferable from the constituents but requires cultural/figurative knowledge and is not fully predictable for a B1 learner, so it is only partially transparent.
Etymology
Put on the back burner comes from cooking. When you move a pot to the back burner of a stove, it stays warm but you are not cooking it now, so the phrase means 'deal with later'.