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back burner, on a

back burner, on a idiom

In a position of low priority. For example, I haven't forgotten his letter; I've just put it on a back burner for now. This term alludes to a cook's putting items requiring less attention at the back of the stove. [Colloquial; mid-1900s] Also see front burner.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.