buy (something) off the shelf

buy (something) off the shelf

To buy something that is ready made for purchase from available stock; to buy something that is not custom built or crafted. We use our own custom software, so we can offer much more precision than what you can buy off the shelf. If you buy a hearing aid off the shelf, it'll be less expensive, but also much less likely to help you than one prescribed by a doctor.See also: buy, off, shelf

buy, get, etc. something off the ˈshelf

buy, etc. something which is not made especially for somebody, and is found in an ordinary shop/store: Did they buy the computer system off the shelf or was it designed specially for them?See also: off, shelf, something