What does it mean when someone says "Put it on the back burner"?

"Putting something on the back burner" means to temporarily set it aside or delay working on it, often with the intention of returning to it later. This phrase often refers to a task or project that is important but not currently a priority.

The act of changing the heat on a stove is probably where the phrase "putting something on the back burner" first appeared.

A cook may place a pot containing a dish that requires less immediate attention on a back burner where the heat is lower so that it can simmer without burning. This would allow the cook to attend dishes on the front burners that need more immediate attention.

The problem occurs when more than one or more tasks are put on the back burner. Most stoves only have four burners and two are only available at a time for less urgent heating.

The phrase is often mentioned in meetings or standups where someone might suggest putting an action or task on the back burner as its not required urgently. Something that doesn't take priority will always be put on the back burner.

In an environment where tasks or objectives are discussed, you could find too many of these less-priority objectives piled up on the back burners and left there for too long as something always comes along that is more urgent.

Where did the phrase originate from?

The expression "placing anything on the back burner" is likely derived from the kitchen practise of shifting a pot or pan to a cooler area of the stove, typically the rear burners, to prevent its contents from boiling over or burning while still cooking slowly.

Since the middle of the 20th century, the word has been used figuratively to denote "to postpone or temporarily set aside" anything.