backburner
To postpone or give lower priority to something
Examples
In a meeting
“We'll need to backburner the redesign until next quarter.”
Over coffee
“I had to backburner my travel plans when the baby arrived.”
Why this word
postpone
Backburner suggests keeping something active but low-priority, while postpone means delaying to a specific later time
delay
Backburner implies intentional deprioritization while maintaining awareness, while delay is general making something later
defer
Backburner keeps the item in ongoing consideration at lower priority, while defer suggests putting off until conditions change
Usage tip
Use informally when something is being delayed but not cancelled entirely
Etymology
From literal back burner of a stove where pots simmer on low heat, 20th century American English
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Related words
anticipate
To expect or predict something and prepare for it accordingly.
preempt
Take action to prevent something before it happens
synchronize
Make things happen at the same time or work together
proactive
Acting in advance to deal with expected situations
initiative
A new plan or action taken to achieve something
tentative
Not certain or fixed; provisional