collect dust: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘collect dust’ mean?
The idiom "collect dust" means that something is not being used or is being neglected over time.
Idiom Explorer
An idiom that means the final or last gathering or collection of something or someone, often used to express the end or conclusion of a particular event, activity, or period of time.
The idiom "good for nothing" is used to describe someone or something that is completely useless or lacking in any value or purpose.
The idiom "go by the wayside" means to be forgotten or abandoned, usually due to a lack of attention or interest.
The idiom "get rid of" means to dispose of something or eliminate something or someone.
The idiom "fall by the wayside" means to fail or be forgotten, usually due to lack of interest or support.
The idiom "dust settles" means that after a chaotic or unsettled situation, things become calm and clear. It implies that with time, the initial confusion or conflict will resolve and a resolution or understanding will be reached.
The idiom "dry up and blow away" means to disappear or become forgotten, often due to lack of attention or relevance. It conveys the idea of something becoming insignificant or irrelevant over time.
Obscured Existence
The idiom "collect dust" is commonly used in American English to describe objects or items that are left unused or abandoned for a long period of time. The phrase implies that these items have been neglected or forgotten, allowing dust to accumulate on their surfaces. This conveys the idea that something has been idle or inactive, highlighting a lack of usefulness or relevance in the present moment. This idiom can also be applied to ideas, skills, or knowledge that are no longer relevant or in practice, suggesting that these concepts or abilities have lost their value or are outdated, just like objects that gather dust when they are not used or needed.
In addition to its literal meaning, the idiom "collect dust" also has several related expressions that are commonly used in colloquial speech. One of these expressions is "catch dust." This phrase is used to describe a situation where someone or something is left behind or forgotten, similar to objects that are left to collect dust. It can be used in various contexts, such as when someone falls behind in a competition or is overlooked in a social situation.
Another related expression is "bust the dust." This phrase is used to describe the act of cleaning or removing the dust that has accumulated on surfaces or objects. It implies taking action to eliminate the neglect or inactivity associated with the idiom "collect dust." This expression can be used when someone is engaged in a cleaning or tidying activity, or metaphorically to describe taking action to address a situation that has been neglected or ignored.
The expression "beat the dust" is another related idiom. This phrase is similar to "bust the dust" in that it implies taking action to address the neglect or inactivity associated with the idiom "collect dust." It can be used to describe someone who is actively working to clean or tidy a space, or metaphorically to describe taking action to address a situation that has been ignored or neglected.
The final related idiom is "eat someone's dust." This phrase is generally used in a competitive context to describe someone who is left far behind or surpassed by another individual. It conveys the idea of being left in the dust, similar to objects that are left to collect dust. This expression can be used to describe someone who is outperformed or left behind in a race, competition, or any other situation where one person surpasses another.
Overall, the idiom "collect dust" is a widely used expression in American English to describe objects or ideas that have been left unused or abandoned for a long period of time. It can be applied to physical objects, ideas, skills, or knowledge that are no longer relevant or in practice. The related idioms "catch dust," "bust the dust," "beat the dust," and "eat someone's dust" further emphasize the concept of neglect or inactivity associated with the idiom "collect dust." These idioms provide additional context and depth to the figurative meaning of the idiom and can be used in various situations to convey specific messages or ideas.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom collect dust can be used in a sentence:
1. "I bought a new treadmill last year, but it has just been collecting dust in the corner of my bedroom ever since."
2. "After finishing my college degree, my old textbooks started collecting dust on the bookshelf."
3. "The fancy China set my grandmother gave us as a wedding gift is just collecting dust in the cabinet because we never use it."
More "Neglect" idioms
