What does being put on the backburner mean?

Question

i've heard that so many times and still have no idea what it means.

Answer 1

It means some other issue or matter takes precedence over yours.  The focus is placed on another situation and your matter, while it will be dealt with in due course, is secondary to the issue at hand.

Answer 2

It means it's not a priority and can wait.

Answer 3

It means to be put off and kind of mulled over but not focused on.  It is most commonly used to mean that you will do something else more important now and focus on that when you get to it.

An example, "Lets put the test on the back burner for now and go over the notes for today."

The saying comes from cooking.  When cooking, say, spaghetti would put the meat and the noodles on the burners closest to you.  You need to stir them both frequentlyHowever, you would put your sauce on the burner farthest from you or, "the back burner" and let it simmer.  It is something you heat slowly to allow it to really get all the flavor and it is also something you don't really need to worry about, if you put it on low it will be done when everything else is.