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top shelf. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
top shelf, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
top shelf in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
top shelf you have here. The definition of the word
top shelf will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
top shelf, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
- (US: best, or high quality): Possibly from the higher quality, thus more expensive, thus less often used liquors being stored on the less accessible top shelf behind a wet bar.
- (British: material with adult content): Such material is often stored on the top shelf in a newsagent's shop, where it is both less visible and harder to reach without being seen.
Pronunciation
Adjective
top shelf (not comparable)
- (US, idiomatic) Best, or high quality.
- Synonyms: top notch; see also Thesaurus:excellent
I bought a bottle of top shelf whiskey.
- (British, idiomatic) Describing books, magazines, or movies that have adult content or softcore pornography.
2008, Rick Wakeman, Martin Roach, Grumpy Old Rock Star, →ISBN, page 83:Most of the band used to buy Autotrader to read on the various bus and plane journeys, but Barry would always turn up with a copy of Underwear Unlimited or some other seedy little top-shelf mag.
Noun
top shelf (plural top shelves)
- (Canada, ice hockey) The upper part of the goal.
References
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