In 15 Seconds
- Save money or time for a specific future purpose.
- Ignore a disagreement to focus on a shared goal.
- Move an object or thought out of your current way.
Meaning
To save something, like money or time, to use later. It also means to ignore a problem or a feeling for a while so you can focus on something else.
Key Examples
3 of 6Talking about a vacation
I try to put aside fifty dollars every week for my summer trip.
I try to save fifty dollars every week for my summer trip.
Resolving a conflict at work
We need to put aside our personal differences to finish this project.
We need to ignore our personal differences to finish this project.
Texting a friend about dinner
Can you put aside some pizza for me? I'll be home late!
Can you save some pizza for me?
Cultural Background
The 'Rainy Day Fund' is a major cultural concept. Americans are often encouraged to 'put aside' 3-6 months of living expenses. British politeness often uses 'put aside' to avoid direct confrontation in meetings. While the English phrase is used, the concept of 'putting aside' differences is often linked to 'Wa' (harmony), though the process of reaching it is more formal. In international negotiations, 'putting aside' difficult issues (the 'parking lot' technique) is a standard strategy to make progress on easier points.
The 'It' Rule
Always remember: 'Put it aside', never 'Put aside it'. This is the most common mistake for intermediate learners.
Don't use for Trash
If you are throwing something away, don't say 'put aside'. It sounds like you are keeping the trash for later!
In 15 Seconds
- Save money or time for a specific future purpose.
- Ignore a disagreement to focus on a shared goal.
- Move an object or thought out of your current way.
What It Means
Imagine you have a delicious slice of cake. You want to eat it later, so you move it to the edge of the table. That is the heart of put aside. You are intentionally keeping something for the future. It works for physical things like cash. It also works for abstract things like your ego or an argument. You are basically saying, "Not right now, but maybe later."
How To Use It
You can put the object in the middle or at the end. You can say put aside some money or put some money aside. Both are perfect. Use it when you are planning. Use it when you are being the bigger person in a fight. It sounds active and responsible. It shows you have a plan or self-control.
When To Use It
Use it at the bank when talking about savings. Use it at work when you need to ignore a small mistake to finish a big project. Use it with friends when you want to stop arguing about where to eat. "Let's put aside our hunger and just pick a place!" It is great for New Year's resolutions or budgeting talks.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it if you are throwing something away forever. That is throw away. Don't use it for people, or it sounds like you are ghosting them. If you put aside a person, it sounds a bit cold. Also, don't use it for things you are doing right now. It is strictly for things you are delaying or saving.
Cultural Background
In English-speaking cultures, putting aside money is seen as a major sign of maturity. We have a phrase "saving for a rainy day." Put aside is the action that makes that happen. It reflects a culture that values future security. It also shows a pragmatic way of handling emotions. We like to "get the job done" first.
Common Variations
Set aside is the most common twin. They are almost identical. Lay aside is a bit older and more formal. You might see it in books. Put by is a British variation, but it is less common now. Stick with put aside for the most natural sound. It works in every English-speaking country.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and works in almost any setting. Remember that when using pronouns, the pronoun must go between the two words (e.g., 'put it aside').
The 'It' Rule
Always remember: 'Put it aside', never 'Put aside it'. This is the most common mistake for intermediate learners.
Don't use for Trash
If you are throwing something away, don't say 'put aside'. It sounds like you are keeping the trash for later!
Meeting Magic
Use 'Let's put that aside for now' to politely stop someone from talking too much in a meeting. It's a very professional power move.
Rainy Days
In English, we often say we put aside money 'for a rainy day', which means for an unexpected future problem.
Examples
6I try to put aside fifty dollars every week for my summer trip.
I try to save fifty dollars every week for my summer trip.
Here it refers to saving money consistently.
We need to put aside our personal differences to finish this project.
We need to ignore our personal differences to finish this project.
Used here to mean ignoring a conflict for a goal.
Can you put aside some pizza for me? I'll be home late!
Can you save some pizza for me?
A very common way to ask someone to save food.
Let's put aside the fact that you forgot our anniversary for just one second.
Let's ignore the fact that you forgot our anniversary for a moment.
Used sarcastically to highlight the mistake while pretending to ignore it.
She put aside her fear and finally stepped onto the stage.
She overcame her fear and finally stepped onto the stage.
Describes overcoming an internal emotional barrier.
The committee decided to put aside the proposal until the next quarter.
The committee decided to delay the proposal until the next quarter.
Means to delay a discussion or decision.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'put aside'.
I've been _______ $50 every week for my new laptop.
The sentence uses 'have been', which requires the present participle (-ing form).
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct option:
When the object is a pronoun like 'it', it must go between 'put' and 'aside'.
Match the sentence to the correct context.
Sentence: 'Let's put aside our differences.'
'Differences' refers to disagreements, making this a conflict resolution context.
Complete the dialogue.
A: I'm worried about the cost. B: Let's ______ that ______ for a moment and look at the design.
'Put aside' is used here to temporarily ignore a topic (cost) to focus on another (design).
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Put Aside vs. Put Away
Practice Bank
4 exercisesI've been _______ $50 every week for my new laptop.
The sentence uses 'have been', which requires the present participle (-ing form).
Choose the correct option:
When the object is a pronoun like 'it', it must go between 'put' and 'aside'.
Sentence: 'Let's put aside our differences.'
'Differences' refers to disagreements, making this a conflict resolution context.
A: I'm worried about the cost. B: Let's ______ that ______ for a moment and look at the design.
'Put aside' is used here to temporarily ignore a topic (cost) to focus on another (design).
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsMostly, yes. But 'put aside' emphasizes the act of moving the money or time away from your current spending/use, whereas 'save' is more general.
No, you usually 'take someone aside' for a private talk. 'Put aside' is for things, money, time, or feelings.
It is 'put aside'. The verb 'put' does not change in the past tense. Example: 'Yesterday, I put aside some cash.'
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or with your best friend. 'Set aside' is slightly more formal.
Yes! This is a very common and natural way to describe controlling your emotions to reach a goal.
They are almost identical. 'Set aside' is used more in legal contexts or for official allocations of money.
Yes, if you are saving a piece of cake for later, you can 'put it aside'.
No, it is always two words, though you can put the object in between them.
Only temporarily. If you 'put aside' a problem, you usually intend to deal with it later.
Only if you are moving them to the side of the bed. If you are putting them in the closet, use 'put away'.
Related Phrases
set aside
synonymTo reserve for a purpose.
put away
similarTo store something in its proper place.
shelve
similarTo stop considering a plan or idea.
brush aside
contrastTo ignore something dismissively.
save up
similarTo accumulate money.
