mothball

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'mothball' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use the word 'mothball' as a noun to refer to a small, white, chemical ball that is used to protect clothing from moths. For example: "I stored my winter clothes in a box with some mothballs to prevent them from getting damaged by moths." You can also use 'mothball' as a verb to describe the act of protecting something with mothballs. For example: "I decided to mothball my sweaters for the summer to keep them safe from moths."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The government is willing to pay for countless loss-making infrastructure projects, most of its citizens worry more about air pollution than nuclear safety and there is no political opposition waiting to sweep to power and mothball the reactors.

The Economist

Although Scots were taken aback by Hyundai's decision to mothball its factory, they had good reason to be cheered by another investment announcement, also made on December 10th.

The Economist

With a huge majority in the Commons, the government will be able to use the Parliament Act to force hereditaries to mothball their ermine by early in 2000.End of story?

The Economist

When demand for labour falls, firms want to hang on to them, just as they might mothball an expensive piece of machinery.In America, in contrast, firms proved keener to cut workers than hours.

The Economist

The firm has had to mothball three ready-meal factories, each dedicated to a single customer, in as many years.

The Economist

The process was often a charade, but it kept the North engaged and it probably helped slow the development of nuclear weapons, as with the agreement to mothball the Yongbyon reactor in 2007.

The Economist

This glut has deterred new investment, and high gas prices have encouraged companies to mothball costly gas-fired power plants.

The Economist

In a recession firms shed labour and mothball capital.

The Economist

It is also hard for airlines to mothball planes they are still paying for.

The Economist

At the same time cheap coal has made electricity from gas uncompetitive, forcing operators to mothball some gas-fired plants.

The Economist

The one that contracts you to build something fascinating and complex, but may mothball the project and stiff its workers arbitrarily, depending on how Ted Cruz is feeling next autumn?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mothball" in a business context, ensure it's clear whether the action is temporary or could lead to permanent closure. This helps avoid ambiguity and manage expectations effectively.

Common error

Avoid using "mothball" when the intent is complete abandonment. "Mothball" implies a potential for future reactivation, unlike terms signifying permanent closure.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "mothball" is a transitive verb, often used to describe the act of placing equipment, projects, or facilities in a state of temporary disuse, while preserving them for potential future reactivation. Ludwig confirms its verb usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mothball" functions primarily as a verb, signifying the act of temporarily discontinuing something while preserving it for potential future use. Ludwig AI analysis indicates its grammatical correctness and common usage. It appears most frequently in News & Media contexts and Formal & Business settings, reflecting a neutral formality level. While synonyms exist, "mothball" uniquely implies preservation for later reactivation. When using this word, consider whether it's truly a temporary measure, and communicate that clearly to avoid confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decommission temporarily

Focuses on the act of taking something out of service for a period.

put into storage

Emphasizes the physical act of placing something in storage.

place in reserve

Highlights setting something aside for future use.

shelve indefinitely

Implies putting a project or plan on hold without a specific timeline for resumption.

suspend operations

Specifically refers to halting business or functional activities.

cease temporarily

Highlights a temporary pause in an activity or process.

freeze activity

Suggests a halt in progress or development.

put on ice

An idiomatic way to say something is postponed or delayed.

hibernate

Implies a dormant state, often used metaphorically.

deactivate temporarily

Indicates a temporary shutdown or disabling of something.

FAQs

How to use "mothball" in a sentence?

"Mothball" can be used as a verb meaning to put something into storage or to discontinue something temporarily, like: "The company decided to "mothball" the project due to budget constraints".

What can I say instead of "mothball"?

You can use alternatives like "shelve indefinitely", "suspend operations", or "put into storage" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "mothball" a project or "mothball" a plan?

Both are correct. "Mothball" can apply to various entities that can be temporarily discontinued or stored, including a project or plan. The choice depends on the specific context.

What's the difference between "mothball" and "decommission"?

"Mothball" usually implies a temporary suspension with the possibility of future reactivation, while "decommission" typically suggests a permanent removal from service.