Whiteisms
The Archive

Etymology Journal · L

Let's put that on the back burner

Meaning

This refers to de-prioritizing a task or issue that is not currently urgent. It suggests the matter will remain warm and accessible but will not be the primary focus for now.

Practical, organized

Used in a sentence

  • We will put that marketing campaign on the back burner until the third quarter.
  • I really want to landscape the backyard, but we should put that on the back burner while we fix the roof.
  • Let us put that request on the back burner and revisit it when we have more staff.

The backstory

This comes from the design of old stoves where back burners were kept at a lower heat for simmering slow-cooked items. It is a classic culinary metaphor for managing household logistics.

Heard in

Nationwide

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