Definitions
postpone or delay something
To put aside or set aside a task or project for a later time, often due to more pressing or urgent matters that require immediate attention.less important or urgent
To refer to something that is not currently a priority, but may be revisited or addressed in the future when other more pressing matters have been taken care of.
Examples of On the back burner
I've put my plans for a new business venture on the back burner for now.
This idiom means to postpone or delay something that is less urgent or important than other tasks. In this example, the speaker is saying that they have temporarily put their plans for a new business venture aside, as they are focusing on other tasks that are more pressing at the moment. The phrase "back burner" comes from the way that cooks use multiple burners on a stove to cook different dishes simultaneously. The back burner is typically used for dishes that require less attention, as they can simmer and cook at a lower temperature without being constantly monitored.
Conclusion
The idiom "on the back burner" is commonly used to describe the act of postponing or delaying something for a later time. It can also refer to something that is not currently a priority, but may be dealt with in the future. In both cases, the intention is to put something aside temporarily and focus on more important or urgent matters.Origin of "On the back burner"
The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the early 20th century when stovetops had multiple burners for cooking. The front burner was used for the main dish, while the back burner was reserved for less important or slower-cooking items. This physical placement on the stove became a metaphor for prioritizing tasks, with the back burner representing tasks that were less important or could be put off for later.
Another theory suggests that the idiom may have originated from the phrase "to keep something on the back burner," which was used in the 19th century to describe keeping food or drink warm on a low heat setting. This concept of keeping something warm but not actively working on it may have evolved into the modern-day meaning of postponing or delaying something.
Regardless of its exact origin, "on the back burner" has become a commonly used idiom in everyday language, conveying the idea of setting something aside for a later time.