Squirrel away Meaning in English
expression
ˈskwɝəɫ/ /əˈweɪ
SKWUR-uhl uh-WAY
skwˈɪɹəl/ /ɐwˈeɪ
skWI-rul uh-WAY
Definition
To hide or save something, especially money or supplies, for future use, often in secret.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and slightly playful; often used for money but can refer to any resource. Implies secrecy or discretion, inspired by how squirrels hide nuts. Common in 'squirrel away some cash' or 'squirreled away supplies.' Not used for saving in a bank (use 'save' or 'set aside' for that).
Spanish: guardar - ahorrar (en secreto)Portuguese (BR): guardar - economizar (em segredo)Portuguese (PT): guardar - poupar (em segredo)Chinese (Simplified): 偷偷储藏 - 秘密存放Chinese (Traditional): 偷偷儲藏 - 祕密存放Hindi: छुपाकर रखना - गुप्त रूप से बचानाArabic: يخزن سراً - يدخرBengali: গোপনে জমা রাখা - লুকিয়ে রাখাRussian: припрятывать - откладывать тайкомJapanese: こっそりため込む - 隠して蓄えるVietnamese: cất giấu - để dành bí mậtKorean: 몰래 모아두다 - 숨겨 두다Turkish: gizlice biriktirmek - saklamakUrdu: چھپا کر جمع کرنا - چپکے سے رکھناIndonesian: menyimpan diam-diam - menyembunyikan
Example Sentences
He likes to squirrel away coins in a jar.
basic
She squirreled away some snacks for later.
basic
Many people squirrel away money for emergencies.
basic
He’s been squirreling away cash in his sock drawer for years.
natural
If you squirrel away a little each month, it really adds up.
natural
Whenever he got extra food, he would squirrel it away for winter.
natural