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on the shelf
01
成熟但单身的女人
used to refer to a woman who is unmarried despite being older than the typical age traditionally associated with marriage
What is the origin of the idiom "on the shelf" and when to use it?
The origin of the idiom "on the shelf" can be traced back to the practice of placing items, particularly books, on a shelf for storage or display. Over time, the phrase took on a figurative meaning when applied to people, particularly unmarried women, who were considered past the typical age for marriage. It is used to describe someone, especially a woman, who is not married and is seen as being too old to get married. the phrase "on the shelf" can be considered somewhat old-fashioned. It reflects traditional societal expectations and judgments related to age and marriage.
例子
She stacked the books vertically on the shelf to save space.
Can you please order the books on the shelf by genre?
After playing with his toys, Tommy always makes sure to replace them on the shelf in his room.
She pointed to the book on the shelf and asked if I had read that.
Both books on the shelf are interesting.
