on the back burner
phrase
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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But as soon as the internet’s favorite couple, Zendaya and Holland, stop walking red carpets and doing press together, audiences are likely to put superhero movies on the back burner once again.
—
Samantha Masunaga,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for on the back burner
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Samantha Masunaga,
Los Angeles Times,
30 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for on the back burner
Cite this Entry
“On the back burner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20the%20back%20burner. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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