on the shelf
US /ɑn ðə ʃɛlf/
UK /ɑn ðə ʃɛlf/
1.
no longer considered attractive or useful, especially for marriage (often used for women)
:
•
She worried about being left on the shelf as she got older.
•
Many women feel pressure not to be left on the shelf.
2.
not being used or considered for a long time
:
•
The old project has been sitting on the shelf for years.
•
His brilliant idea was put on the shelf due to lack of funding.