front burner, on a

on a front burner

Of a high priority; given more or immediate thought or attention. A less common variant of "on the front burner." The landlords are coming to inspect the property next week, so cleaning needs to be on a front burner! Now that I'm finished with work for the summer, I can put my thesis on a front burner again. The government must ensure this issue remains on a front burner, or it could lead to disaster in the near future.

See also: burner, front, on

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

front burner, on a

Also, on the front burner. A position of relatively great importance or high priority. For example, The boss said this project is now on a front burner. This expression alludes to a cook's putting the items requiring the most attention at the front of the stove. [1960s] Also see back burner.

See also: front, on

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.