lay aside
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Verb: - To set something down or put it away, typically for future use or to stop using it temporarily: The core meaning involves physically placing an object aside or ceasing an activity with the intention of returning to it later or saving it. - To reserve or save something, especially money: This meaning specifically refers to accumulating resources, like funds, by regularly setting them apart from immediate use.
Usage and Examples
- Setting an object aside:
- She laid aside her book to answer the phone. (She put her book down temporarily.)
- Please lay aside any tools you are not using. (Please put away the tools you don't need right now.)
- Saving or reserving resources:
- They try to lay aside a small amount of money each month. (They try to save a little money regularly.)
- We should lay aside our differences and work together. (We should temporarily ignore our disagreements.)
Advanced Usage
- "To lay aside a habit/feeling": To make a conscious effort to stop a particular behavior or emotion, often temporarily.
- He decided to lay aside his anger and forgive her. (He chose to put his anger away.)
- "To lay aside for a rainy day": An idiomatic expression meaning to save something (usually money) for a future time of need.
- It's wise to lay aside some savings for a rainy day. (It's prudent to save money for emergencies.)
Variants and Related Words
- Set aside (phrasal verb): Very similar in meaning, often used interchangeably with "lay aside," especially for saving money or reserving time.
- The government has set aside funds for education.
- Put aside (phrasal verb): Another common synonym with the same core meanings.
- Can you put aside your work for a moment?
- Savings (n): Money that has been laid aside.
- He used his savings to buy a car.
Synonyms
- Save: To keep and store up, especially money.
- Reserve: To keep back or set apart for a particular purpose or future use.
- Store away: To put something in a place for keeping.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Lay by: An older or more formal term with a very similar meaning to "lay aside," especially for saving money.
- She laid by a portion of her earnings every week.
- Lay away: To pay for something gradually by making small payments while the store holds the item (common in retail, especially historically).
- They laid away the furniture until they could pay the full price.
Related Idioms
- Lay something to rest: To stop worrying about something or to finally finish dealing with an issue. (Note: This is different from "lay aside," which implies temporary storage.)
- The new evidence should lay those rumors to rest.
Verb
- accumulate money for future use
- He saves half his salary