off-the-shelf
/ˌɒf ðə ˈʃelf/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌɔːf ðə ˈʃelf/ (ame, ipa)
off-the-shelf — idiom
1. The phrase 'off the shelf' describes buying a product that a store already has i
The phrase 'off the shelf' describes buying a product that a store already has in stock, so you do not have to wait for someone to make it specially for you.
Sahil bought his first camera off the shelf at an electronics store.
collocation: buy + off the shelf
Most office chairs can be purchased off the shelf without any wait.
Buying furniture off the shelf was faster than waiting for custom pieces.
The clinic bought its standard equipment off the shelf rather than placing special orders.
- ready-made
used for products that are already finished
- stock item
a noun phrase referring to products kept in regular supply
- custom-made
made especially for a particular person or purpose
- made to order
produced only after a customer requests it
文法句型
buy/purchase/get something off the shelf
用法筆記
This phrase is always used after verbs such as 'buy', 'purchase', 'get', or 'order'. Do not use hyphens in the adverbial form: 'off the shelf'.
常見錯誤
off-the-shelf — adjective
1. An off-the-shelf product is one that a company has already made in a standard de
An off-the-shelf product is one that a company has already made in a standard design, so you can buy it right away without requesting a special version.
Emre installed off-the-shelf security cameras around his small shop.
attributive use before a noun
Off-the-shelf software costs much less than a custom program made for one company.
standard vs. custom contrast
The kitchen came with off-the-shelf cabinets from a local supplier.
Vinícius prefers off-the-shelf suits because they save money on tailoring.
Ayana bought an off-the-shelf bookshelf that needed almost no assembly.
- ready-made
common for clothing and food; not necessarily implying a stock item
- standard
emphasises that the product follows a common design, not a special one
- stock
often used as a noun modifier, e.g. 'stock item'
文法句型
off-the-shelf + noun
用法筆記
This adjective is used only before a noun (attributive position). For example, 'off-the-shelf software', but NOT ⛔ 'the software is off-the-shelf'. To express that meaning, use the adverbial phrase 'off the shelf' without hyphens instead.