back burner
noun
: the condition of being out of active consideration or development
—usually used in the phrase on the back burner
Examples of back burner in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Forgetting about the greens on a low back burner only deepens their tenderness and flavor.
—
Kendra Vaculin, Bon Appétit, 17 Feb. 2024
In some cases, business and IT leaders relegate ERP updates to the back burner to cut costs.
—Kevin Beasley, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2023
Parks in Hells Canyon could be put on the back burner for the first campouts or fishing trips this spring.
—Pete Zimowsky, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024
For example, effective strategies that reduce violent crime without causing a surge in arrests are often put on the back burner when a department is struggling to meet basic emergency response needs.
—Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2024
Though ignorance is certainly part of the issue (a problem that can’t be seen or felt tends to take the proverbial back burner), access is an issue, too.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 26 Dec. 2023
None is quite ready to move from the back burner to the front burner.
—Dave Itzkoff, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2023
As a result, Barry says, Best Buy’s televisions and PCs are being pushed to the back burner.
—Bypaige Hagy, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2023
Wilson’s talent was put on a back burner, said Chris Young, his manager.
—Helena Andrews-Dyer, Washington Post, 29 Sep. 2023
Kendra Vaculin, Bon Appétit, 17 Feb. 2024
In some cases, business and IT leaders relegate ERP updates to the back burner to cut costs.
—Kevin Beasley, Forbes, 9 Mar. 2023
Parks in Hells Canyon could be put on the back burner for the first campouts or fishing trips this spring.
—Pete Zimowsky, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024
For example, effective strategies that reduce violent crime without causing a surge in arrests are often put on the back burner when a department is struggling to meet basic emergency response needs.
—Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 9 Jan. 2024
Though ignorance is certainly part of the issue (a problem that can’t be seen or felt tends to take the proverbial back burner), access is an issue, too.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 26 Dec. 2023
None is quite ready to move from the back burner to the front burner.
—Dave Itzkoff, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2023
As a result, Barry says, Best Buy’s televisions and PCs are being pushed to the back burner.
—Bypaige Hagy, Fortune, 12 Oct. 2023
Wilson’s talent was put on a back burner, said Chris Young, his manager.
—Helena Andrews-Dyer, Washington Post, 29 Sep. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'back burner.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near back burner
Cite this Entry
“Back burner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back%20burner. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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