on the shelf
Awaiting future use
On the shelf describes something set aside, inactive, or no longer in use.
A project put on the shelf is postponed indefinitely.
The phrase once described unmarried women past the expected age for marriage—left unpicked like merchandise nobody wanted.
In sports, an injured player on the shelf is sidelined and unable to compete.
- storedKept in reserve
- archivedStored for posterity
- shelvedDeferred or stored away
- gathering dustUnused and accumulating particles
- spinsterhoodUnwed woman's status
old maid · abandoned · unchosen · unattached · forgotten · outdated · past its prime · out of circulation · passed over · left behind · dormant · put on hold · back burner · mothballed · marginalized · on ice · benched · unused
on the shelfin play
Currently within bounds
in use · active · in action · deployed · in service
on the shelfup-to-date
Reflecting present knowledge
current · relevant · in vogue · fresh · cutting-edge
shelf, shelves, bookshelf, bookshelves, reshelve, shelfful, shelflike, mantelshelf, unshelve