in mothballs



in mothballs

In storage, either literally or figuratively. Mothballs—little balls composed of a pungent chemical used to deter moths—are often kept in closets, attics, and other places where clothes are stored. I'm so glad that I can finally get my summer clothes out and put my winter clothes back in mothballs. That plane is in mothballs while we wait for a new shipment of parts. I did like your idea, Tom, but we have to keep it in mothballs for now while we finish our outstanding projects.
See also: mothball

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Badri-Georgian
MargaretMAHR-grit, MAHR-gə-ritEnglish
HeidaHIE-dahGerman
Uma-Hinduism, Indian, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi
Lara['lærə]
Laureenlə-REENEnglish