This familiar phrase means be careful and polite, but its true origin is uncertain. Several popular explanations help explain why.

“On the back burner” means delayed or treated as less urgent. The image comes from cooking, where back burners get less attention.

This expression comes from Coleridge’s famous poem and now means a lasting burden, often linked to guilt or a damaging mistake.

Miscook means to cook something badly or improperly. Learn how this useful verb works, plus a clear example you can use right away.

“Have a bone to pick” started as an image of quarrelling over a bone. Now it usually means having a complaint to discuss.