The phrase "take out mothballs" refers to the action of removing or bringing something back into use after a long period of inactivity or obscurity. It is often used idiomatically to describe reviving or reintroducing an old or dormant idea, concept, product, or practice.
Literally, mothballs are small balls made of a chemical compound, typically naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, which release a vapor that repels and kills moths, thus protecting stored clothing from damage. These small, ball-shaped substances are used to keep moths from damaging fabrics when they are not in use. Therefore, "taking out mothballs" involves retrieving or unpacking stored items, like clothes or fabrics, that have been placed with mothballs to protect them during an extended period of non-use or storage.
Figuratively, the phrase implies the action of resurrecting or reintroducing something that has been neglected, forgotten, or abandoned for a prolonged period. This can refer to resuming a discontinued project or initiative, reintroducing an obsolete method or technique, or bringing back an old tradition or practice. By taking out mothballs in this context, one is reviving or reactivating something that has been temporarily set aside, bringing it back to relevance or usefulness.
Overall, "take out mothballs" signifies the act of resurrecting, reintroducing, or reviving something that has been dormant or out of use for a considerable time, in both literal and figurative contexts.
