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.
See also: burner, front, on
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

*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.
See also: burner, front, on
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

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.
See also: burner, front, on
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

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 burner
A burner is one of the parts of a cooker/stove, etc. that produces a flame.
See also: burner, front, on
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

on the front burner

As a high priority.
See also: burner, front, on
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.

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.
See also: front, on
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • on the front burner
  • front burner, on a
  • throw an eye on (something)
  • throw an eye over (something)
  • on patrol
  • out front
  • place a premium on (something)
  • put a premium on
  • put a premium on something
  • put/place a premium on something