put away

phrasal verb·4 senses·particle away

Meanings

1

Return something to its proper place

Storage

Why “away”? You put something away so you can use it later.

“Put your toys away now.”
Tidy your toys back into the place they belong.
“Put the clean plates away after dinner.”
Tidy the clean plates back into the place they belong after dinner.
“Could you put the groceries away for me?”
Could you store the groceries in the fridge and cupboards for me?
2

Save money for later

Storagerare
“He put away some money each month.”
He set aside a portion of his income in savings every month.
“Mina puts away ten pounds every week.”
Mina saves ten pounds every week for later.
“I try to put a little away from every paycheck.”
I try to save a small amount out of each paycheck.
3

Send someone to prison or a mental hospital

Storageuncommon
“He was put away for ten years.”
He was sent to prison for ten years.
“The robber was put away for twelve years.”
The robber was sent to prison for twelve years.
4

Save money for the future

Storage
“She puts a little away each month.”
She saves a little money each month.
“Omar puts a little away for rent.”
Omar saves a little money for rent.

Don't confuse with

put awayput back

Put away means return something to its proper place. Put back means return something to where it was.

put awayput aside

Put away means save money for later. Put aside means save for a specific purpose.

put awayput off

Put away means save money for later. Put off means delay or postpone.

Test yourself

“Put your toys away now.” What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.

put aside

A contrast learners often mix up

Save for a specific purpose; Ignore or set a feeling aside

put back

A contrast learners often mix up

Return something to where it was; Delay or postpone; Return something to its place

put off

A contrast learners often mix up

Delay or postpone; Discourage or repel; Postpone to another time

file away

Same away pattern: storage

Store in an organised system

hide away

Same away pattern: storage

Hide in an out-of-the-way place

lock away

Same away pattern: storage

Secure inside something locked

salt away

Same away pattern: storage

Save money discreetly for the future

squirrel away

Same away pattern: storage

Save bit by bit, hidden away

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