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
Recent Examples on the Web
While music made Ariana Grande one of the most successful pop stars of the past several decades, the singer and songwriter is putting her first love on the back burner for now after receiving rave reviews and a number of accolade nominations for her role as Glinda in both Wicked films.
—
Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, a secret love affair might be percolating on the back burner.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2026
Mangold’s is really on the back burner as is Soderbergh’s.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 15 Jan. 2026
Are culture wars on the back burner in Georgia this legislative session?
—Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for on the back burner
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 20 Jan. 2026
Meanwhile, a secret love affair might be percolating on the back burner.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 18 Jan. 2026
Mangold’s is really on the back burner as is Soderbergh’s.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 15 Jan. 2026
Are culture wars on the back burner in Georgia this legislative session?
—Greg Bluestein, AJC.com, 14 Jan. 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 29 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
