mothball verb

/ˈmɒθ.bɔːl/

/ˈmɑːθ.bɑːl/ v [T]

Definition

to stop work on an idea, plan or job, but leaving it in such a way that you can start on it again at some point in the future

Six coal pits were mothballed in the hope that they could be reopened in a time of better economic conditions.

(Definition of mothball verb from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

to worry

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