lay away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lay away" is not correct in standard English; the correct term is "layaway." You can use "layaway" when referring to a purchasing method where a customer pays for an item in installments and the item is reserved until it is fully paid for.
Example: "I decided to put the new television on layaway so I could pay for it over the next few months."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

I looked at the pictures, imagine where they lay, Away, on a beach, by the sea, where their clothes all lay away.

The New Yorker

"Now our collection is so big that we can lay away buildings and give them a couple years off," said Todd Forrest, the garden's vice president for horticulture and living collections.

The New York Times

At 14, he played seven times for the club but even then, Falcao knew his future lay away from Colombia; a fact of the economics of Colombia and of football in general.

The Guardian - Sport

By Harold Ross, D. F. Clancey, and Russell Maloney The New Yorker, December 6 , 1941P. 25 There is a sign in a sporting-goods-store in midtown which reads, "Now is the time to lay away your guns".

The New Yorker

They swap with a partner and, using another person's character notes, write a monologue beginning with the line, "I lay away, unable to sleep, and all because…" What is this new character excited about, or scared of?

The Guardian

You can still buy a computer!" So read the advertisements of dozens of similar companies — in mailed fliers, on Internet sites and in televised infomercials — for the sale of computers, flat-screen televisions and other electronic goods on terms described as "no interest" and "lay away".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Liverpool The future of Suarez looks increasingly likely to lie away from Anfield.

Independent

There was a time when his future appeared to lie away from Goodison Park but the forward has been a revelation at times this season.

The Guardian - Sport

He said: "It's hugely disappointing that Darren has decided that his future lies away from Sunderland and the players, our supporters and the club as a whole has every right to feel massively let down.

Independent

Of course, Suarez may feel so aggrieved he may consider his future lies away from England.

BBC

The magnitude of inequality is depicted by how far the curve lies away from the line of equality.

Health Economics Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to the purchasing method where a customer pays in installments and the item is reserved, use "layaway" instead of "lay away". For example: "I put the television on layaway."

Common error

Avoid using "lay away" when you mean "layaway." "Layaway" is the correct term for reserving an item by making partial payments. "Lay away" is generally not used in standard English.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lay away" is typically used as a phrasal verb, though often incorrectly. It attempts to convey the action of putting something aside, but the correct term for the retail practice is "layaway". As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is not correct in standard English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "lay away" might seem intuitive, it's generally considered incorrect in standard English. The correct term to use when referring to the retail practice of reserving an item with partial payments is "layaway". As highlighted by Ludwig AI, using "lay away" can lead to grammatical errors and miscommunication. To ensure clarity and correctness, always opt for "layaway" in both formal and informal contexts. While instances of "lay away" appear across various sources including News & Media, Science, and Wiki, its usage is less frequent. Remember to use alternatives like "installment plan" or "payment plan" to enhance clarity and avoid grammatical pitfalls.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

layaway

The correct term for the purchasing method where an item is reserved until fully paid.

put aside

This alternative focuses on the action of reserving or saving something, similar to the concept of setting something aside for future use or purchase.

set aside

Similar to "put aside", this alternative emphasizes the act of allocating or reserving something, whether it's money or an item.

reserve for later

This alternative is more explicit about the intent of keeping something available for future use.

save for future use

Focuses on the act of saving and the purpose of future utilization, closely related to the concept of putting something aside.

keep in storage

This implies placing something in a designated storage area, suggesting a temporary removal from immediate access.

hold back

Suggests retaining something from being used or spent immediately, implying a deliberate decision to delay its use.

defer payment

Specifically related to delaying payment for a purchase, highlighting the financial aspect of "layaway".

installment plan

Describes a payment method where the total cost is divided into smaller, regular payments.

payment plan

A more general term for an arrangement to pay off a debt or purchase over time.

FAQs

What does "layaway" mean?

"Layaway" is a purchasing agreement where a customer pays for an item in installments, and the item is held by the seller until the full payment is made.

Is "lay away" grammatically correct?

No, the correct term for reserving an item through installment payments is "layaway". "Lay away" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in this context.

What is an alternative to using "layaway"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "installment plan" or "payment plan" if you're talking about paying in installments.

How do I use "layaway" in a sentence?

You can say, "I'm going to put this item on "layaway"" or "The store offers a "layaway" program for expensive items."