IdiomDaily Life
English
Englishleft on the shelf
Meaning: To be considered too old to marry; more generally, to be passed over.
Example: “In her grandmother's day, a woman of thirty was said to be left on the shelf.”
Origin: Like goods nobody has bought, left on a shop shelf. It was used of unmarried women from the 19th century, and now sounds dated and sexist.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Coiffer Sainte Catherine Literally: To coif Saint Catherine
More English idioms
- take with a grain of salt To be skeptical about something; not to take it entirely at face value.
- like a bat out of hell Extremely fast.
- a snake-oil salesman A swindler who sells fake remedies or worthless solutions.
- it doesn't take a rocket scientist Something is easy to understand; no special intelligence is needed.
- do a moonlight flit To leave one's home secretly at night, usually to avoid paying rent or debts.
- pipped at the post To be beaten at the very last moment.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Je bent een kanjer You're a star — a champ and a wonderful person.
- Золотые руки (Zolotye ruki) You're wonderfully skilled with your hands — a true master at making and fixing things.
- Χρυσό μου (Chrysó mou) My darling — a tender term of endearment.
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