front burner, on a/the
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.
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.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
*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.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
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.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
on the front burner
As a high priority.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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.
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer