on the shelf

Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus

0.01 sec.

on the shelf

1. Fig. not active socially; left to oneself in social matters. (Alludes to being left or stored on a shelf.) I've been on the shelf long enough. I'm going to make some friends. She likes being on the shelf.

2. Fig. postponed. We'll have to put this matter on the shelf for a while. I have a plan on the shelf just waiting for an opportunity like this.

See also: shelf

How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content.

?Page tools

Printer friendly
Cite / link

Email
Feedback

? References in classic literature
She had come down to sit beside me while I wrote, and sometimes, when I looked up, her eye was not on me, but on the shelf where 'The Master of Ballantrae' stood inviting her. Margaret Ogilvy by Barrie, James Matthew View in context Thinking it both unfair and unkind to deprive her of any good qualities that were handy, the boy took down every bottle on the shelf and poured some of the contents in Margolotte's dish. The Patchwork Girl of Oz by Baum, L. Frank View in context There on the shelf was a bottle which she at once recognized as one containing some of her three-year-old homemade currant wine for which she was celebrated in Avonlea, although certain of the stricter sort, Mrs. Anne Of Green Gables by Montgomery, Lucy Maud View in context More results

? References in classic literature

She had come down to sit beside me while I wrote, and sometimes, when I looked up, her eye was not on me, but on the shelf where 'The Master of Ballantrae' stood inviting her.

Margaret Ogilvy by Barrie, James Matthew View in context

Thinking it both unfair and unkind to deprive her of any good qualities that were handy, the boy took down every bottle on the shelf and poured some of the contents in Margolotte's dish.

The Patchwork Girl of Oz by Baum, L. Frank View in context

There on the shelf was a bottle which she at once recognized as one containing some of her three-year-old homemade currant wine for which she was celebrated in Avonlea, although certain of the stricter sort, Mrs.

Anne Of Green Gables by Montgomery, Lucy Maud View in context

More results

Idioms browser

? Full browser

on the run
on the safe side
on the same page
on the same wavelength
on the sauce
on the scene
on the scrap heap
on the shelf
on the side
on the side of the angels
on the sidelines
on the skids
on the sly
on the spot
on the spur of the moment

On the Run (disambiguation)
On The Run (Falco single)
On the Run (novel)
On the Run (Pink Floyd song)
On the Run (song)
On the Run's Where I'm From
on the safe side
on the safe side
on the same footing
On The Same Hand
on the same level
on the same matter
on the same page
on the same page
On the Same Stone With
on the same wavelength

on the same wavelength
on the sauce
on the scene
on the scene
on the scrap heap
On the Seventh Day God Created ... Master
On the Seventh Day God Created... Master
On the shady side of
on the shelf
On the Shore
On the Shore of the Wide World
On The Shoulders of Giants
On The Shoulders of Giants
on the side
on the side
on the side
on the side

on the side
on the side
on the side
On the Side of Angels
on the side of the angels
On the sidelines
On the sidelines
On the Silent Wings of Freedom
On the Sizes and Distances of the Sun and Moon
on the skids
on the sly
on the sly
on the solid
On the Soul
On the Spectacles
On The Spirit of the Laws

Idioms and phrases

Free Tools:	For surfers: Free toolbar & extensions \| Word of the Day \| Help For webmasters: Free content \| Linking \| Lookup box \| Double-click lookup \| Partner with us

All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Terms of Use.