Definition of top-shelf
1
: of the best quality
top-shelf products Reading does have one top-shelf tourist attraction, a gorgeous pagoda that sits atop a mountain.— Joe Queenan
2
[from the placement of sexually explicit magazines for sale on high shelves out of the reach of children]
British
: containing pornographic material
top-shelf magazines This year, retailers are going to come under increased pressure to clean up their acts. Of course, they're not obliged to sell top-shelf mags. — The Grocer
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Time Traveler for top-shelf
The first known use of top-shelf was in 1854
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