on the shelf

English

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɛlf

Prepositional phrase

on the shelf

1. (idiomatic) Laid aside.
   1. Unused; abandoned.
   2. Tabled; mothballed.
2. (idiomatic, especially of a woman) Unmarried, typically through lack of interest from potential spouses.
3. (idiomatic, sports) Injured.

Usage notes

• Typically used with the verbs lay, leave, or put.

Translations

laid aside

unmarried

• Czech: na ocet
• Portuguese: ficar para tia, ficar para titia
• Scottish Gaelic: air an sgeilp
• Spanish: quedarse para vestir santos (es)
• Vietnamese: ế (vi)

injured

See also

• off-the-shelf