save all

A child puts coins into a piggy bank to save all his allowance.

Definition

1. Noun (chiefly US):
   • A device or method for saving resources: "save all" refers to something that prevents waste of time, money, or materials; a time-saver or money-saver.
   • A children's savings fund: A small fund or piggy bank used by children to collect and save money.
   • An apron: A protective garment worn over clothes to keep them clean while working.
   • A protective outer garment: A set of clothes worn over regular clothing during labor or dirty tasks.

Usage Examples

• Device for saving:

  • This new kitchen gadget is a real save all — it chops, slices, and grates in seconds. (It saves time and effort in cooking.)

• Children's savings fund:

  • Grandma gave him a coin for his save all every Sunday. (She added money to his personal savings fund.)

• Apron:

  • She put on her save all before baking bread to keep her dress clean. (She wore an apron for protection.)

• Protective outer garment:

  • The mechanic wore a save all over his uniform to avoid oil stains. (He wore a coverall or protective suit.)

Advanced Usage

• As a compound noun: "save all" is often hyphenated or written as one word ("saveall") in technical or historical contexts.

  • The factory issued each worker a save-all to prevent dirt from ruining their clothes. (A protective garment.)

• In economic contexts: Can refer to any strategy or tool that reduces waste.

  • The new recycling program is a corporate save all, cutting costs and environmental impact. (A money-saving and resource-saving measure.)

Variants and Related Words

• Save-all (n, hyphenated): The standard spelling in dictionaries.
• Saving (adj): tending to preserve or reduce waste.
  • A saving habit can lead to financial security. (A habit of conserving resources.)

Synonyms

• Time-saver: something that reduces the time needed for a task.
• Money-saver: something that reduces expenses.
• Apron: a protective garment worn over clothes.
• Coverall: a one-piece protective garment worn over clothing.

Related Idioms

• Save for a rainy day: to set aside money for future emergencies.

  • He put his spare change in a save all for a rainy day. (He saved for unexpected needs.)

• A penny saved is a penny earned: every small saving contributes to wealth.

  • Using a save all for leftovers is a classic example of "a penny saved is a penny earned." (Waste reduction is financially wise.)

Note on Usage

The term "save all" is somewhat archaic in modern English, especially in its meanings of "apron" or "protective garment." It is more commonly encountered in historical texts or specialized contexts (e.g., children's savings banks). In contemporary usage, the phrase is rarely used as a single lexical item; instead, it may appear as a descriptive compound (e.g., "save-all apron") or in idiomatic expressions.