on the shelf

mis de côté, en attente

Mis de côté pour un temps, en attendant de s'en occuper plus tard.

En anglais simple : If something is set aside, people stop dealing with it for a while.

• The plan is on the shelf for now.
• We left the proposal on the shelf until funding improved.
• Will this idea stay on the shelf forever?

Synonymes : on hold, set aside

Expressions courantes : on the shelf, stay on the shelf, put on the shelf

inutilisé, abandonné

Qui n'est plus utilisé ou sur lequel personne ne travaille plus.

En anglais simple : If something is unused or abandoned, nobody uses it or works on it anymore.

• His skills are on the shelf now.
• Their old software has been on the shelf for years.
• The invention stayed on the shelf because nobody wanted it.

Synonymes : unused, abandoned

Contraires : in use

Expressions courantes : on the shelf, left on the shelf

indisponible pour blessure, blessé

Qui ne peut pas jouer ou travailler à cause d'une blessure.

En anglais simple : Unable to play or work because of an injury.

• Our goalkeeper is on the shelf with a broken wrist.
• A knee injury kept her on the shelf for months.
• He is back on the shelf after hurting his ankle.

Synonymes : sidelined, out injured

Expressions courantes : on the shelf, back on the shelf

resté sur le carreau, vieux garçon

Expression ancienne et méprisante pour une personne restée célibataire, supposée ne trouver personne qui veuille l'épouser.

En anglais simple : Used unkindly about someone who remains unmarried because nobody seems to want to marry them.

• Her aunt called her on the shelf.
• Women once feared being left on the shelf.
• He cruelly described his unmarried sister as on the shelf.

Synonymes : unmarried

Contraires : married

Expressions courantes : on the shelf, still on the shelf