The phrase 'on the back burner' refers to something that is temporarily set aside or deprioritized, often in favor of more urgent tasks.
When do you use "On the back burner"?
This phrase is appropriate in professional and personal contexts when discussing projects, tasks, or responsibilities that will be addressed later but are not a priority at the moment.
"On the back burner" Usage Examples
Due to the recent budget cuts, the new marketing campaign has been put on the back burner for now.
I have several projects on the back burner while I focus on completing my thesis.
Although the software update is on the back burner, it is still planned for release next quarter.
He decided to put his travel plans on the back burner until after the busy season at work.
The team has put the development of the app on the back burner, as they need to resolve existing issues first.
"On the back burner" Explained
The phrase originates from cooking, where the back burner of a stove is typically used for dishes that need to simmer or be kept warm, but are not the main focus of cooking. It symbolizes tasks or projects that are still important but are not currently being actively worked on.