to keep something, usually money or time, for a special reason or future use.
I try to set aside a little money each month for emergencies.
A: Are you coming to the party on Friday? B: I can't, I’ve set aside that evening to study for my exam.
In my opinion, it’s important for families to set aside time to spend together, even when everyone is busy.
Common mistake
✗I set aside money for buy a house.
✓I set aside money to buy a house.
'To buy' (purpose), not 'for buy'.
Tell it apart
I set aside money for a holiday.
save it
I spent money on a holiday.
used it up
Use 'set aside' when you want to talk about saving something for later, not just putting it somewhere.Compare with 'put away' (to tidy up or store something) and 'save up' (to collect money over time).
to decide not to think about or deal with something, often temporarily.
Let’s set aside our differences and work together on this project.
A: I’m still upset about what happened. B: I understand, but maybe we should set that aside for now and focus on the task.
During group discussions, it’s helpful to set aside personal opinions to listen to others’ ideas.
Common mistake
✗Let's set aside with our differences.
✓Let's set aside our differences.
'Set aside' takes the object directly — no 'with'.
Tell it apart
Let's set aside the cost for now.
ignore it temporarily
Let's set aside some money for it.
save it for later
Use 'set aside' when you want to talk about ignoring an issue or feeling, often to focus on something else.Compare with 'overlook' (to not notice) and 'forget' (to not remember).
to officially cancel or annul a legal decision, judgment, or order so that it is no longer valid.
The court set aside the previous ruling due to new evidence.
A: Did you hear the verdict was set aside? B: Yes, apparently the judge found a procedural error.
In some cases, a conviction may be set aside if it is proven that the defendant did not receive a fair trial.
Common mistake
✗The judge set away the conviction.
✓The judge set aside the conviction.
The legal phrase is 'set aside' (annul), not 'set away'.
Tell it apart
The court set aside the verdict.
legally cancelled it
The court upheld the verdict.
confirmed it stands
'Set aside' in this sense is used in formal legal English to refer to the annulment of official decisions, especially court judgments. Do not use it for everyday cancellations.Unlike the B1 sense ('save for a purpose') and the B2 sense ('ignore or not consider'), this sense is specific to legal contexts and means to make a legal decision invalid.