back burner

The definition of back burner is something that has been put aside, usually in favor of more immediate goals or more important projects.

(noun)

An example of putting something on the back burner is when a mom delays going to college in order to take care of her baby.

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See back burner in Webster's New World College Dictionary

a state of temporary suspension, low priority, etc.: usually in the phrase , in or into such a state

Origin: from the idea of putting a pot on a back burner of a stove to keep its contents warm

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