on the shelf

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "on the shelf" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe a physical location, such as "The books were all on the shelf". It can also be used to describe a situation that has been postponed, such as "The project was put on the shelf for now".

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Put each category one by one on the shelf.

WikiHow

I left that one on the shelf.

The New York Times - Food

So that one's on the shelf.

Forbes

— on the shelf.

The New York Times - Magazine

"It is on the shelf.

The New York Times

He put it back on the shelf.

The New Yorker

I stuck it on the shelf.

The New Yorker

Some look good on the shelf.

The New York Times - Food

First, is your product on the shelf?

The Economist

The wind on the shelf was amazing.

The New Yorker

Now it is going on the shelf.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on the shelf" to indicate that an item is physically placed on a shelf, or that a plan, idea, or project has been temporarily set aside or postponed. For example, "The new product is on the shelf at your local store" or "The proposed legislation was put on the shelf due to lack of support."

Common error

Avoid using "on the shelf" to describe permanent abandonment unless the context clearly implies it. The phrase generally suggests a temporary pause rather than a complete rejection. If something is permanently abandoned, use phrases like "discarded", "abandoned", or "scrapped" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on the shelf" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a verb or noun. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and usability. It can describe a physical location, as in "The books are on the shelf", or a state of being temporarily unused or postponed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

15%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Science

32%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on the shelf" is a versatile prepositional phrase with both literal and figurative meanings. Grammatically correct and very common, it can refer to the physical placement of items or the temporary suspension of plans. According to Ludwig AI the phrase is correct and usable in written English and it's confirmed by the ample examples available in various sources. The usage is more common in news media and general contexts but less common in formal academic papers. When writing, it's important to consider the intended meaning and avoid misinterpreting the temporary nature of the phrase as permanent abandonment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shelved

Similar meaning to "on the shelf", but with a stronger emphasis on being postponed or put aside.

not in use

Directly states the condition of not being utilized.

laid aside

Focuses on the act of setting something aside, implying it's not currently in use.

not being utilized

Highlights the lack of active use.

put away

Emphasizes the action of placing something in its storage location.

in storage

Highlights the state of being stored, often temporarily.

out of service

Suggests a temporary or permanent removal from operation.

in reserve

Implies something is being kept for future use.

tabled

Specifically refers to postponing a discussion or decision.

stockpiled

Suggests a large quantity of something being stored.

FAQs

How can I use "on the shelf" in a sentence?

You can use "on the shelf" to describe items physically located on a shelf, as in "The book is "on the shelf"". It can also metaphorically mean something is temporarily not being used or considered, such as "The project was put "on the shelf"".

What does it mean when something is "on the shelf"?

When something is "on the shelf", it can literally mean it's placed on a shelf. Figuratively, it suggests that something (like a plan or idea) has been temporarily set aside or postponed.

What are some alternatives to saying something is "on the shelf"?

Depending on the context, you could say something is "shelved", "laid aside", "put away", or "postponed".

Is it correct to use "on the shelf" to describe a person who is unmarried?

Yes, "on the shelf" can be used to describe someone, typically a woman, who is unmarried and considered past the age of marriage, although this usage is now somewhat dated and can be considered offensive.