gathering dust

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'gathering dust' is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that has been neglected or forgotten. For example: "The old books in the library have been gathering dust for years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Computers sit in corners gathering dust.

The Economist

His skates would be gathering dust.

The New York Times - Sports

But it's not gathering dust.

The New York Times

Traditional cameras sit in closets gathering dust.

The New York Times

For decades, the idea sat gathering dust.

The New York Times - Tech

Now all that expertise is gathering dust.

The Guardian

The application has been gathering dust in Brussels ever since.

The Economist

Most such reports end up lining bookshelves and gathering dust.

The Economist

It was gathering dust, uncataloged, in a government library.

The New York Times

An unused dot-matrix printer sat gathering dust.

The New York Times

The books in the library stacks are gathering dust.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gathering dust" to vividly describe items or ideas that are no longer in use and are being neglected. It's particularly effective when you want to evoke a sense of abandonment or lost potential.

Common error

Avoid using "gathering dust" when you simply mean something is dirty. The phrase implies disuse and neglect, not just a lack of cleaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gathering dust" functions as a verb phrase, often part of a continuous verb tense (e.g., "is gathering dust"). It vividly describes the state of an object or concept that has been neglected or unused for a significant period. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gathering dust" is a common and vivid way to describe something that is unused, neglected, and deteriorating due to a lack of attention. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it functions as a verb phrase with a neutral register, appearing most frequently in news and media contexts. While grammatically correct, it is important to use it appropriately, ensuring that it accurately reflects disuse rather than simply dirtiness. For alternative phrasing, consider "accumulating dust", "falling into disuse", or "becoming obsolete" to subtly shift the emphasis of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accumulating dust

Focuses on the physical aspect of dust collection, similar to the original phrase.

collecting dust

A direct synonym, emphasizing the process of dust accumulating.

falling into disuse

Highlights the lack of use as the primary issue.

becoming obsolete

Shifts the focus to the item's relevance and currency rather than its physical state.

sitting idle

Indicates a lack of activity or purpose.

lying dormant

Emphasizes a state of inactivity and potential for future use.

being neglected

Focuses on the lack of care or attention.

unused and forgotten

Combines the lack of use with a sense of being disregarded.

out of service

Suggests a formal withdrawal from use, often for equipment.

shelved indefinitely

Implies a postponement or abandonment of plans.

FAQs

How can I use "gathering dust" in a sentence?

You can use "gathering dust" to describe items or ideas that are no longer in use, such as, "The old trophies were "collecting dust" on the shelf."

What does it mean when something is "gathering dust"?

When something is "gathering dust", it means it's been left unused or neglected for a long time, allowing dust to accumulate. It implies a sense of abandonment or obsolescence.

What can I say instead of "gathering dust"?

You can use alternatives like "lying dormant", "falling into disuse", or "becoming obsolete" depending on the context.

Is "gathering dust" an idiom?

Yes, "gathering dust" is an idiom. It is not meant to be taken literally but rather as a figurative way of describing something that is unused and neglected.