ENGLISH
REFERENCE

shelves

v.
US //ˈʃɛɫvz// UK //ʃˈɛlvz// shelves
  1. 1 to put away or delay (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to put something on a shelf, or to decide not to continue with a plan for now.

    the third-person singular present form of 'shelve', meaning to place on a shelf or to postpone a project indefinitely.

    Example

    The company often shelves new ideas if they cost too much money.

    Example

    The director typically shelves any script that fails to secure independent funding within the first six months of development.

    Usage

    When used for plans or projects, it implies a temporary or permanent stop.
Idioms2 entries

Last updated June 20, 2026