set aside
phrasal verb·3 senses·particle aside
Meanings
Save something for a particular purpose
Why “aside”? Something is kept separate and available for a future purpose.
“She sets aside time for reading.”
“Omar sets aside Friday evenings for music.”
Decide to ignore feelings or differences for a moment
Why “aside”? A thought, feeling, person, or objection is ignored or rejected.
“Set aside your differences.”
“The board set aside its worries and approved the plan.”
Decide that an earlier court decision no longer applies
Used mainly for courts and official decisions.
“The court set aside the earlier decision.”
“The judge set the earlier order aside.”
Don't confuse with
Set aside means save something for a particular purpose. Set back means delay or hinder progress.
Test yourself
“She sets aside time for reading.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
set back
A contrast learners often mix up
Delay or hinder progress; Cost someone a particular amount of money
brush aside
Same aside pattern: ignoring
Refuse to consider an objection or warning
cast aside
Same aside pattern: ignoring
Reject someone or something that you no longer want
lay aside
Same aside pattern: reserve
Save money or items for future use
leave aside
Same aside pattern: ignoring
Set a topic aside temporarily to focus on something else
push aside
Same aside pattern: ignoring
Refuse to consider feelings or thoughts
put aside
Same aside pattern: reserve
Save for a specific purpose; Ignore or set a feeling aside
sweep aside
Same aside pattern: ignoring
Refuse to consider objections, often dismissively
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