on the back burner

idiom

chiefly US
: in the position of something that will not receive immediate attention and action
She put her singing career on the back burner to pursue her dream of being a movie star.

Examples of on the back burner in a Sentence

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While many executives are pausing on big hires or deferring large projects, Dave Anderson, Founder of TSC Security, argues that protecting your company’s digital assets should not be placed on the back burner. Matt Emma, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025 Because music was on the back burner, her focus on it shifted. Ilana Kaplan, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025 The Hollywood star appears to be fully focused on his acting career, leaving professional wrestling on the back burner. Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025 All of which has put some of his favorite stress relievers, including running, on the back burner. Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for on the back burner

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Cite this Entry

“On the back burner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20back%20burner. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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