Region: US | Usage example: We put the redesign on the back burner while the client brief evolves.

On the back burner

Meaning

Put into a lower priority state.

Used when deferring projects or ideas.

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

Cooks kept less urgent dishes on back burners to focus on hotter pans.

Food metaphors entered business talk during the 20th century.