on the shelf

phrase [verb-link PHRASE, PHRASE after verb]

If you say that someone or something is on the shelf, you mean that no one wants them.

[informal]

I was afraid of getting left on the shelf.

...first-rate plans which sit on the shelf.

Synonyms: unmarried, single, unwed, unwedded More Synonyms of on the shelf

See full dictionary entry for shelf

on the shelf in British English

put aside or abandoned: used esp of unmarried women considered to be past the age of marriage

See full dictionary entry for shelf

on the shelf in American English

out of use, activity, or circulation

See full dictionary entry for shelf

on the shelf

used to describe a middle-aged woman who some people consider to be too old to be attractive to men, and who is therefore unlikely to ever marry. Many people dislike this expression because of the attitude which it represents.

I certainly don't equate being single with being on the shelf!

Examples of 'on the shelf' in a sentence
on the shelf

Alberg held out his lighter, but Alfred shook his head and used a wooden match from a box on the shelf.She stopped him, placed the photograph back on the shelf, smiled a little impishly, sought out his lips.An hour later, there were three more machines on the shelf.

(idiom) in the sense of unmarried

Definition

put aside or abandoned; used esp. of unmarried women considered to be past the age of marriage

I was afraid of getting left on the shelf.

Synonyms

unmarried

Many young people remain unmarried to concentrate on their career.

single

The last I heard she was still single, still out there.

unwed

unwedded

spouseless

See shelf

Additional synonyms

in the sense of single

Definition

unmarried

The last I heard she was still single, still out there.

Synonyms

unmarried,

free,

unattached,

on the shelf,

unwed,

partnerless,

spouseless

Nearby words of
on the shelf

on the run
on the same wavelength
on the scrapheap
on the shelf
on the skids
on the sly
on the spur of the moment

Synonyms of 'on the shelf'

on the shelf

Explore 'on the shelf' in the dictionary

单词	on the shelf
释义	on the shelf phrase [verb-link PHRASE, PHRASE after verb] If you say that someone or something is on the shelf, you mean that no one wants them. [informal] I was afraid of getting left on the shelf. ...first-rate plans which sit on the shelf. Synonyms: unmarried, single, unwed, unwedded More Synonyms of on the shelf See full dictionary entry for shelf on the shelf in British English put aside or abandoned: used esp of unmarried women considered to be past the age of marriage See full dictionary entry for shelf on the shelf in American English out of use, activity, or circulation See full dictionary entry for shelf on the shelf used to describe a middle-aged woman who some people consider to be too old to be attractive to men, and who is therefore unlikely to ever marry. Many people dislike this expression because of the attitude which it represents. I certainly don't equate being single with being on the shelf! Examples of 'on the shelf' in a sentence on the shelf Alberg held out his lighter, but Alfred shook his head and used a wooden match from a box on the shelf. Wright, L R SLEEP WHILE I SING (1989) She stopped him, placed the photograph back on the shelf, smiled a little impishly, sought out his lips. Appiganesi, Lisa DREAMS OF INNOCENCE (1989) An hour later, there were three more machines on the shelf. McKewan, Ian THE INNOCENT (1989) (idiom) in the sense of unmarried Definition put aside or abandoned; used esp. of unmarried women considered to be past the age of marriage I was afraid of getting left on the shelf. Synonyms unmarried Many young people remain unmarried to concentrate on their career. single The last I heard she was still single, still out there. unwed unwedded spouseless See shelf Additional synonyms in the sense of single Definition unmarried The last I heard she was still single, still out there. Synonyms unmarried, free, unattached, on the shelf, unwed, partnerless, spouseless Nearby words of on the shelf on the run on the same wavelength on the scrapheap on the shelf on the skids on the sly on the spur of the moment Synonyms of 'on the shelf' on the shelf Explore 'on the shelf' in the dictionary
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on the shelf

on the shelf in British English

on the shelf in American English

on the shelf

Examples of 'on the shelf' in a sentenceon the shelf

Additional synonyms

Nearby words ofon the shelf

Synonyms of 'on the shelf'

on the shelf

Examples of 'on the shelf' in a sentence
on the shelf

Nearby words of
on the shelf