stash up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stash up" is not commonly used in written English and may not be considered standard.
It can be used informally to mean accumulating or saving something, often in a secretive or hidden manner. Example: "I decided to stash up some cash for my upcoming vacation."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Savers will be able to stash up to £200 a month in the Isa tax-free, and the government will add £50 to every £200 saved, up to a maximum bonus of £3,000 on £12,000 of savings.

The Guardian - Money

The crooks are looking for a get-out-of-jail-free card, which given the film's criminally underdone plot and smog of self-satisfaction is something that Mr. Soderbergh may have wanted to stash up his own sleeve.

The New York Times

It also led another article explaining what the "changes mean for you" by noting that "wealthy savers were granted a last chance to stash up to $540,000 from after-tax earnings before the end of the financial year".

The Guardian - Business

It also turns out that you can stash up your money, which is now her money, in little piles that nobody in the country you still live in, and in particular nobody who might want to build a road or hospital or school, can touch.

Independent

Roth or traditional IRAs let you stash up to $5,000/year.

Huffington Post

Your livestock won't be able to graze in winter, so stash up some hay/ and or grains.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

It would seem that some of the best seed is stashed up in the sheds of allotment holders, many of whom were farmers in their home countries.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In 2004, a United States Senate report disclosed that General Pinochet had stashed up to $8 million in secret accounts at the Riggs Bank in Washington.

The New York Times

In other HQ-related could-be-Arnold news, Eloise discovers that her rogue woodcutter has a "laser-based satellite uplink" stashed up his arm.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Any cart abandoned on the curb line or sidewalk is fair game, but some people have earmarked one as a personal grocery rickshaw that he/she stashes up by the apartment or around back.

Huffington Post

In the Customs and Border Protection's Rio Grande Valley sector, which includes the site of the Goliad crash, more than 2,000 illegal immigrants were apprehended this fiscal year as of May in nearly 80 stash houses, up from 1,012 in 69 stash houses in all of the 2011 fiscal year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stash up" when you want to emphasize the act of secretly accumulating or saving something for future use. For instance, "I need to stash up some vacation days for our trip."

Common error

Avoid using "stash up" in formal writing or professional contexts. Opt for more formal alternatives like "save up" or "accumulate" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stash up" primarily functions as a phrasal verb. It's used to describe the action of accumulating or saving something, often with the implication of doing so discreetly. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts related to saving money or resources for future use.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

16%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stash up" is an informal phrasal verb that means to accumulate or save something, often in a secretive or discreet manner. While Ludwig AI classifies it as acceptable, it is relatively uncommon compared to alternatives like "save up" or "accumulate". It's best suited for informal communication and should be avoided in formal writing. Ludwig's examples indicate its most frequent use in news and media contexts, though it also appears in wikis. Understanding its nuance and register helps ensure its appropriate and effective use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

save up

Specifically refers to saving money over time, similar to stashing money.

put aside

A simple and direct way to indicate saving or reserving something.

set aside

Similar to "put aside", implying reserving something for a specific purpose.

cache

Emphasizes the storage aspect, often in a hidden location.

build up

A general term for gradually increasing the amount of something.

accumulate

A more formal and general term for gradually gathering or acquiring something.

squirrel away

Suggests secretly saving or hiding something for future use.

stockpile

Implies accumulating a large quantity of something, usually for future use.

hoard

Suggests accumulating and hiding something, often secretively or excessively.

lay away

Means to reserve an item for later purchase by making regular payments.

FAQs

What does it mean to "stash up"?

To "stash up" means to accumulate or save something, often in a secretive or hidden manner. It's similar to saving or hoarding, but usually implies a smaller scale and a specific purpose.

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

You might say, "I need to "stash up" some extra cash for the holidays," or "She decided to "stash up" vacation days for a long trip."

What can I say instead of "stash up"?

You can use alternatives like "save up", "accumulate", or "put aside" depending on the context.

Is "stash up" appropriate for formal writing?

No, "stash up" is generally considered informal. In formal contexts, it's better to use more professional terms like "save up" or "accumulate".