fly off the shelves: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘fly off the shelves’ mean?
The idiom "fly off the shelves" means that a product or item is being sold very quickly and in large quantities.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "let fly" means to release or throw something forcefully or with great speed. It can also refer to speaking or expressing oneself freely and without restraint.
Let fly is used in informal situations, it has been in use for several centuries and is still commonly used in modern-day conversations.
The idiom "in the offing" means something is likely to happen or is about to occur, especially in the near future.
The idiom "in the offing" is a commonly used expression in the English language. Native speakers understand its specific meaning, which is expected or likely to happen in the near future.
An idiom meaning to do something quickly and efficiently, often describing the completion of multiple tasks or actions in a single swift and decisive motion.
The idiom "in a flash" means doing something very quickly or almost instantly.
The idiom "hot off the presses" means freshly printed or just released, referring to the immediacy and freshness of news or information.
The idiom "hit the shelves" means for a book or product to be released and made available for purchase to the public.
The idiom "go for a song" means that something is sold very cheaply or at a much lower price than its actual value.
The idiom "go off" means to explode, to suddenly start making a loud noise, or to become spoiled or rotten. It can also mean to happen or take place, especially in a surprising or unexpected way.
The idiom "go off" has multiple meanings and can be used in various contexts. It is primarily used as a phrasal verb and can be both intransitive and transitive.
The idiom "fly the coop" means to escape or leave a place abruptly, often used to refer to someone leaving a difficult or confining situation quickly.
The idiom "fly the coop" has origins in the 19th century United States. It is commonly used to mean escaping or leaving a place quickly, often with a sense of liberating oneself.
Unveiling Retail's Rapid Disappearance
The phrase "fly off" is another idiom commonly used in English to describe the quick and rapid movement of something. When used in the context of products, it suggests that the items are being snatched up and removed from the shelves with speed and enthusiasm. Just like "fly off the shelves," this idiom is used to emphasize the popularity and high demand for a particular item.
We often hear people say that a new product has "hit the shelves," indicating that it has been released and is now available for purchase. This idiom is used to describe the moment when a product becomes accessible to consumers. When a product hits the shelves, it is no longer just an idea or a concept, but something tangible and ready to be bought. It signifies the start of its journey in the marketplace and the opportunity for consumers to get their hands on it.
Both of these idioms, "fly off" and "hit the shelves," are related to the idea of products being stocked and sold. They capture the excitement and speed of the buying process, with "fly off the shelves" focusing on the rapidity of sales and "hit the shelves" highlighting the moment of availability. Together, these idioms paint a vivid picture of products being eagerly purchased and enjoyed by consumers.
When a product is said to "fly off the shelves," it means that it is selling quickly and in large quantities. This idiom suggests that the product is in high demand and is being bought as soon as it is stocked. It has become a widely recognized expression in the English language, used to describe various consumer goods.
The origin of the idiom is uncertain, but it likely stems from the visual image of products being snatched off a shelf in a store. This image symbolizes the speed at which the items are sold and reflects their desirability and popularity. The exact date of its origin is unknown, but it has become a part of everyday language and is well-known in English-speaking countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
The phrase "fly off the shelves" is a figurative expression that cannot be interpreted literally. It uses the verb "fly" to emphasize the rapidity and popularity of sales. This figurative language makes the expression more impactful and memorable, as it creates a vivid and easily visualized image in the mind of the listener or reader.
The idiomatic expressions "fly off the shelves" and "hit the shelves" are both related to the sales and popularity of products. "Fly off the shelves" describes a product that is selling quickly and in large quantities, conveying its high demand and popularity. "Hit the shelves" signifies the moment when a product becomes available for purchase, marking the start of its availability to consumers. Both idioms use figurative language to create vivid images and convey the speed and enthusiasm of the buying process.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom *fly off the shelves* can be used in a sentence:
- The newly released smartphone model flew off the shelves as soon as it became available.
- During the holiday season, toys often fly off the shelves as parents scramble to find the perfect gifts for their children.
- The limited edition collector's item flew off the shelves within hours of its release, leaving many fans disappointed.
More "Metaphorical" idioms
