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

1. accumulate money for future use
   • He saves half his salary