off the shelf

English

Prepositional phrase

off the shelf

1. Alternative form of off-the-shelf.
   • 1964 May, R. K. Evans, “The Ventura—Paxman's high-speed engine”, in Modern Railways, page 328:

     After the war, the invaluable experience gained with mass production of the TP engines saw Davey Paxman in a favourable position to supply such units almost "off the shelf", a facility found to be of great value by oil companies engaged in well-drilling; [...].

   • 2019 October 23, Rail, page 28:

     Stadler Project Manager Matthias Hammerle explained: "These trains for the Liverpool City Region are not 'off the shelf' but have been tailored to a very specific brief."

References

• “off the shelf”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.