hit the shelves — to become available for sale in stores
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to become available for sale in stores
Pronunciation (IPA): /hɪt ðə ʃelvz/
Example Sentences
- The vampire romance novel hit the shelves just in time for Halloween, but all the vampires complained about garlic-scented bookmarks.
- The latest smartphone will hit the shelves this Friday with advanced features.
- When the diet pizza finally hit the shelves, even the pizza was disappointed in itself.
hit the shelves
VERB[/hɪt ðə ʃelvz/]
to become available for sale in stores
a cheerful store employee carefully places fresh copies of a newly released book onto an empty shelf space. The employee holds a stack of identical books and slides them one by one into their designated spots. Customers nearby notice the new arrivals and immediately walk over to examine the fresh merchandise. One customer picks up a copy while another points excitedly at the newly stocked books. Other shoppers gather around the shelf area, drawn by the sight of the brand-new products. books becoming available for sale in the store
When books hit the shelves, helpful elves arrange the shelves!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This idiomatic phrase emerged from the literal sense of 'hit' meaning 'to reach or arrive at'. The expression describes products reaching retail shelves for the first time, combining the verb 'hit' (to strike or reach a target) with 'shelves' (display units in stores), metaphorically suggesting the moment a product arrives at its retail destination.
Breakdown
hit (reach, arrive at a destination) + the (definite article) + shelves (retail display units). The phrase treats 'shelves' as the target destination that products 'hit' or reach when launched into stores.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The vampire romance novel hit the shelves just in time for Halloween, but all the vampires complained about garlic-scented bookmarks.”
“The latest smartphone will hit the shelves this Friday with advanced features.”
“When the diet pizza finally hit the shelves, even the pizza was disappointed in itself.”
“The bestselling author's new book will hit the shelves worldwide next spring.”
📚Related Words
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