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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Rather than putting internal engagement on the back burner, with the rapid rise of AI, smart professionals are finding new ways to streamline routine tasks and craft higher-quality content for internal audiences. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025 Lalani said the low wages for attendant positions have fueled worker shortages and gaps in care that put preventive care on the back burner and lead to greater expenses down the line in hospitalizations and complications. Madeline De Figueiredo, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 With Devers managing both back and groin ailments, San Francisco placed those plans on the back burner. Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 9 July 2025 Our needs will be at the forefront of our hearts and minds, pushing us to deal with matters that have been left on the back burner for some time. Lisa Stardust, refinery29.com, 2 July 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 19 Aug. 2025.

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