front burner, on a/the
on the front burner
Of a high priority; given more or a lot of thought or attention. The landlords are coming to inspect the property next week, so cleaning needs to be on the front burner! Now that I'm finished with work for the summer, I can put my thesis on the front burner again.
*on the front burner
Fig. receiving particular attention or consideration. (Compare this with on the back burner. *Typically: be ~; put something ~.) So, what's on the front burner for us this week? Move this project to the front burner so it will get some attention.
on the front burner
If you put a project or issue on the front burner, you start to give it a lot of attention. Note: A burner is one of the rings or plates on the top of a cooker. By putting tourism on the front burner, the government has opened up the opportunity for a substantial growth in visitors long-term. Note: Front burner is used in other structures and expressions with a similar meaning. This issue is not exactly on their front burner.
on the front ˈburner
(informal, especially American English) (of an issue, a plan, etc.) being given a lot of attention because it is considered important: Anything that keeps education on the front burner is good. OPPOSITE: on the back burnerA burner is one of the parts of a cooker/stove, etc. that produces a flame.
on the front burner
As a high priority.
front burner, on a/the
A position of high priority. This relatively new term, from the 1960s, alludes to a cook’s putting food that needs the most attention on the front burners of the stove. It was soon being used figuratively, as in “Put this editorial on a front burner; it’s going into the next issue.” For the converse, see put on hold.