If you put an issue on theback burner, you leave it in order to deal with it later because you now consider it to have become less urgent or important.
Many speculated that the U.S. would put the peace process on the back burner.
For 10 years she looked after her children, with her career very much on the backburner.
back burner in British English
noun
on the back burner
back burner in American English
a state of temporary suspension, low priority, etc.
usually in the phrase on the back burner, in or into such a state
Word origin
from the idea of putting a pot on a back burner of a stove to keep its contents warm
Examples of 'back burner' in a sentence
back burner
But the crisis is now on the back burner.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Which of these tasks gets put on the back burner?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
For now talk of a little mix can be put on the back burner.
The Sun (2015)
Exercise is often put on the back burner as we get older.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Difficult issues regarding income and wealth inequality are put on the back burner.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It's good news that driving is on the back burner for now.
The Sun (2011)
He was due to retire this year, but that has been put on the back burner.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
If you can manage financially, suggest plans are put on the back burner for at six months.
The Sun (2014)
I can put all that on the back burner now.
The Sun (2009)
More radical plans to dilute unions' voting powers in Labour leadership contests and at party conferences have been put on the back burner.
The Sun (2013)
B badge next week, but that's obviously had to be put on the back burner a bit.