stash away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stash away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of hiding or storing something for future use, often in a secretive manner. Example: "She decided to stash away some money each month for her dream vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Dumbstruck, I sat and anxiously watched the meter tick-tick-tick my meager cash stash away.

The New York Times

"And they're much too special to stick in garment bags and stash away in the attic".

The New York Times

It often requires help from bankers, lawyers and other facilitators to expose those who stash away dirty money.

The Economist

Why did he stash away a weird collection of several hundred of her belongings after she died?

The Economist

An assumption is that officials facing retirement are especially likely to stash away money to supplement their pensions.

The New York Times

Her mother, Xing Xiuqin, 60, bragged that she managed to stash away 80percentt of her income before retiring.

The New York Times

Andorra does attract those who want to stash away their wealth, but Chorlton says that buyers don't tend to be flashy and neither are the properties on offer.

Independent

And if we have to stash away large amounts of carbon to create temporary relief in our emission balance why not grow some food with it?

The Guardian

The government has told the industry to take provisions and stash away capital to the tune of €50 billion, or $66 billion.

The New York Times

They are the pretty, delicious treats you stash away for yourself or bring out to share with those closest to you.

The New York Times - Food

7.  Stash away festive decorations - Boost storage with specialised organizers; this is especially useful when putting Christmas decorations away from one year to the next.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "stash away", consider the nuance of secrecy or future use. If the intention is simply to store something openly, a term like "put away" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "stash away" in highly formal writing, such as academic papers or official reports. Opt for more professional terms like "reserve" or "allocate" to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "stash away" functions primarily as a transitive verb, indicating the action of concealing or storing something for future use. It suggests a deliberate act of putting something in a safe or secret place. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "stash away" is a versatile expression used to describe the act of concealing or saving something for later use. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and very commonly used, particularly in news and media contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives in academic or professional writing. When using "stash away", consider the nuance of secrecy or intentional preservation. Related phrases like "set aside", "put away", and "hide" offer subtle variations in meaning and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

squirrel away

Implies saving something secretively for future use, often with a sense of frugality.

set aside

Focuses on reserving something for a specific purpose.

put away

Implies storing something neatly, but not necessarily secretly.

hide

Emphasizes concealment, often to avoid detection.

conceal

A more formal synonym for hide, suggesting careful covering.

hoard

Suggests accumulating and hiding something, often excessively.

reserve

Highlights the act of keeping something for later use.

bankroll

Accumulate funds to be used for something else.

accumulate

Focuses on gradually gathering a quantity of something.

save

Highlights avoiding spending or wasting something.

FAQs

How can I use "stash away" in a sentence?

You can use "stash away" to describe the act of hiding or saving something for future use. For example: "She decided to "set aside" some money each month for her dream vacation".

What can I say instead of "stash away"?

Alternatives to "stash away" include "set aside", "put away", or "hide", depending on the context.

Which is more appropriate: "stash away" or "save for later"?

"Stash away" implies a degree of secrecy or careful preservation, while "save for later" is more general. Use "stash away" when emphasizing the hiding or careful storing aspect. "Save for later" is typically appropriate when secrecy is not required.

Is "stash away" suitable for formal writing?

While "stash away" is widely understood, it's generally more appropriate for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "reserve" or "allocate".