12 Other Ways to Say “Low Priority”

Every day, your to-do list fills up with tasks that demand your attention. But not all tasks are created equal. Low priority work might not seem urgent, but it still matters. The trick is knowing when to tackle these tasks and when to let them wait. Mastering how to handle low priority jobs lets you focus on what really needs to get done first.

Balancing your workload means being smart about low priority items. You don’t want them slipping through the cracks, but delaying them can actually boost your productivity. Labeling tasks clearly helps teams stay on track, avoiding confusion and stress. When you manage low priority work well, you gain control, stay organized, and keep your projects moving forward smoothly.

Other Ways to Say “Low Priority”

There are many ways to express “low priority.” You can say “not urgent,” “take a backseat,” or “lower on the to-do list.” These phrases clearly show that a task can wait or be postponed, helping teams focus on critical projects without ignoring less pressing items.

1. On the Back Burner

Example: “We’ve put the office redecoration project on the back burner for now, focusing on more immediate concerns.”

Meaning: This phrase suggests that a task has been deprioritized or delayed in favor of something more pressing. Much like moving a simmering pot to a cooler burner, the idea here is that the task isn’t canceled, it’s simply paused until time or resources allow for it again.

Usage: Ideal when discussing postponed initiatives, backlogged items, or tasks that aren’t a priority level at the moment but still remain part of the broader strategic planning or project management efforts. Often used in team management or board meeting agendas when adjusting priorities.

2. Not Urgent

Example: “This item is important but not urgent, so we can revisit it after finalizing the client acquisition efforts.”

Meaning: “Not urgent” classifies a task that doesn’t require immediate action. It helps in time management and distinguishes between critical projects and those that can be tackled during lower-pressure periods.

Usage: Effective in project planning when separating urgent vs. non-urgent tasks. It supports workload management and strategic planning by helping teams decide what truly needs their attention now.

3. Take a Backseat

Example: “Marketing revisions will take a backseat while we address compliance updates.”

Meaning: This phrase implies that a task or responsibility has been deprioritized in favor of a more pressing one. It doesn’t suggest cancellation but rather a temporary shift in organizational focus.

Usage: Common in business operations and resource allocation discussions. It highlights how one initiative may lose visibility while another becomes the priority.

4. Lower on the To-Do List

Example: “Updating the presentation template is lower on the to-do list compared to finalizing our Q3 reporting.”

Meaning: Indicates that a task exists within the planning stages but is not among the top priorities.

Usage: Useful in workload management, especially when communicating clearly within teams about where focus should lie. It helps set realistic expectations and manage timelines effectively.

Read More: 12 Other Ways to Say “Market Leader”

5. Can Wait

Example: “Redesigning the employee handbook can wait until after the annual audit is complete.”

Meaning: Suggests that the task isn’t urgent and may be postponed without consequences.

Usage: A casual and clear way to describe delayed tasks. Helps in managing expectations and improving communication clarity during strategic realignment.

6. Secondary Concern

Example: “Website aesthetics are a secondary concern while we deal with operational delays.”

Meaning: This expression signals that while a task is recognized, it ranks lower in priority.

Usage: Often used in business strategy conversations to express that certain efforts aren’t receiving primary attention due to more critical items taking precedence.

7. Put on Hold

Example: “The training module rollout has been put on hold pending resource redirection.”

Meaning: Indicates a temporary stop or suspension of a project, often due to changing priorities or lack of resources.

Usage: Common in project development and decision-making processes where timeline adjustments and shifting workload priorities are necessary.

8. Not Top of the Agenda

Example: “Discussing the new branding colors is not top of the agenda during this board meeting.”

Meaning: Suggests that while the topic is recognized, it is not a high priority.

Usage: Ideal for professional contexts like board meeting agendas and strategic planning sessions where time must be reserved for more pressing matters.

9. For Later Consideration

Example: “We’ll keep this proposal for later consideration after completing current deliverables.”

Meaning: Means that something will be revisited at a more appropriate time.

Usage: Helps manage expectations, especially during planning stages or when deciding between immediate concerns and long-term initiatives.

10. On Ice

Example: “The vendor partnership expansion has been put on ice due to shifting organizational priorities.”

Meaning: Informally describes a project that has been paused or postponed indefinitely.

Usage: Often used when a task isn’t canceled outright but has been deprioritized in the face of more critical projects or limited resources.

11. Sideline

Example: “We had to sideline the internal survey improvements in favor of urgent client feedback processing.”

Meaning: This term implies temporarily removing a task from active focus.

Usage: Effective in contexts involving task prioritization and resource allocation where certain efforts must be deferred.

12. In the Pipeline

Example: “The new product features are in the pipeline but won’t be released until Q4 due to strategic planning constraints.”

Meaning: Indicates that something is planned and underway, but not an immediate focus.

Usage: Common in business operations and project development to describe initiatives that are part of the long-term plan but not currently active.

When to Use Different “Low Priority” Alternatives

Use “low priority” alternatives when tasks or projects don’t require immediate action. Phrases like “on the back burner” or “put on hold” signal postponement without cancellation. These terms help communicate flexibility, manage expectations, and prioritize urgent work while keeping less critical items in future planning stages.

Strategic Decisions and Resource Allocation

When organizations face multiple competing demands, making strategic decisions and allocating resources effectively becomes crucial. Prioritizing critical projects over low priority tasks helps focus efforts where they matter most. Terms like “sideline” or “put on hold” clearly communicate the temporary deprioritization of certain initiatives. This approach ensures that resource allocation aligns with business strategy and organizational focus, avoiding the pitfalls of spreading teams too thin across backlogged items or postponed initiatives.

Resource redirection often accompanies strategic realignment, allowing companies to adapt quickly in fast-paced environments. Clear communication about adjusted priorities improves transparency and helps manage expectations across teams. Using expressions like “take a backseat” or “lower on the to-do list” can guide workforce efforts while maintaining clarity in project planning and workload management. This strategic focus ultimately drives efficiency in planning and enhances overall productivity.

Long-term Planning

Long-term planning plays a vital role in setting a clear vision for future initiatives while balancing immediate concerns. Phrases like “in the pipeline” or “for later consideration” are perfect for highlighting projects still in the planning stages but not requiring urgent action. Incorporating flexible scheduling into long-term timelines allows organizations to remain agile, postponing less critical tasks without losing sight of them altogether.

Effective timeline adjustments help teams manage delayed tasks with foresight, ensuring that future consideration does not become neglect. By distinguishing between urgent and non-urgent tasks, companies can better allocate time and resources, reducing overload and improving strategic planning. This approach supports sustainable growth and helps prevent backlogs from overwhelming operations.

Communicating Flexibility

Clear communication about task flexibility is essential in dynamic work environments. Using terms like “can wait” or “not urgent” signals to teams that certain responsibilities, though important, don’t demand immediate attention. This flexibility fosters a collaborative atmosphere where employees can adjust their workloads without feeling pressured, promoting better time management and reducing stress.

Flexible scheduling also enables managers to pivot quickly as priorities shift, ensuring that resources focus on critical projects first. When communicated effectively, these expressions help align team efforts with shifting business needs, providing clarity and preventing misunderstandings. Transparency in communication strengthens project management and supports smoother operational workflows.

Adjusting Workloads

Balancing workloads requires continuous adjustment to meet evolving priorities. Describing tasks as “lower on the to-do list” or saying a project must “take a backseat” helps set realistic expectations for teams. These phrases assist managers in delegating work based on priority levels, ensuring employees aren’t overwhelmed by backlogged items or postponed initiatives.

Workload management also involves strategic planning to avoid bottlenecks and maximize productivity. By regularly reviewing priority levels and reallocating resources, organizations can maintain momentum on critical projects while deferring secondary concerns. This proactive approach enhances efficiency in planning and keeps teams focused on delivering results where they count most.

Delaying for Better Timing

Sometimes delaying action proves to be the most strategic choice. Expressions like “on ice” or “for later consideration” effectively convey that certain initiatives are temporarily paused, often pending better timing or more information. This delay doesn’t mean abandoning projects but rather prioritizing optimal conditions to maximize success.

Waiting to act can improve resource allocation by preventing premature effort on non-urgent tasks. Delayed tasks can be revisited during long-term planning sessions, ensuring they receive attention when circumstances are more favorable. Communicating these delays clearly helps maintain alignment across teams and preserves focus on immediate concerns and critical projects.

Conclusion

Understanding low priority tasks is key to working smarter. Not every job needs your attention right now. By recognizing what is low priority, you can focus on more urgent work first. This helps you avoid feeling overwhelmed. You will get more done in less time.

Remember, low priority doesn’t mean unimportant. It means you can wait before doing it. Managing low priority tasks well keeps your workload balanced. It also helps your team stay organized. When everyone knows which tasks are low priority, it makes planning easier. You can put these tasks on hold or delay them without worry. This way, you stay calm and productive. So, always keep track of your low priority work and handle it at the right time. It will make your workday smoother and less stressful.