back burners
Where postponed waits
Back burners are the heating elements at the rear of a stovetop, less accessible than the front ones and typically used for dishes requiring less attention.
This literal meaning gives rise to the common figurative use: to put something on the back burner means to set it aside temporarily while attending to more pressing matters.
I've had to put my novel on the back burner while I focus on work deadlines.
postpone
Delay to later time
defer · deprioritize · sideline · suspend · pending · waitlist · backlog · queue · hold · pause
stovetop
Burner platform for cooking
boil · range · cooktop · pot · pan · skillet · heat · warming · low heat · slow cook
back burnerstop priority
Most important item
high priority · first priority · priority one · number one priority · center stage
back burnersfront and center
Prominent central position
on the table · in play · on deck · in the spotlight · work in progress
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