Expression: “On the Back Burner”

The phrase “on the back burner” is commonly used in English to describe tasks or ideas that are temporarily delayed or given lower priority. It originates from cooking, where items placed on the back burner are kept warm but not actively cooked, symbolizing things that are not urgent.

For example, if you have many tasks to complete and one isn’t as time-sensitive, you might say, “Let’s put that on the back burner for now and focus on the main project.” This means you’re postponing the less important task to give attention to more urgent matters.

In conversation, this expression helps to communicate that certain things are temporarily sidelined but not forgotten. It’s especially useful in business settings when discussing priorities or project timelines.

Using this phrase correctly will help you sound more natural and fluent in English conversations. It’s a great way to show that you’re managing multiple tasks while maintaining a focus on what’s most important.