set aside — save for a particular purpose
phrasal verbB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
to keep something, usually money or time, for a special reason or future use.
Say it like a native
Textbook I allocate a portion of my income for future contingencies.
Native I set aside a bit of money each month.
Natural; 'allocate a portion of income for contingencies' is financial-planner language.
Pattern: set aside [object]
In use
- I try to set aside a little money each month for emergencies.money
- In my opinion, it’s important for families to set aside time to spend together, even when everyone is busy.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ I set aside money for buy a house.
✓ I set aside money to buy a house.
'To buy' (purpose), not 'for buy'.
Common collocations
set aside + money/time— money, some time, savings, each month
Don't confuse it
Compare with 'put away' (to tidy up or store something) and 'save up' (to collect money over time).
Related
- set aside (ignore or not consider) — Another meaning of 'set aside' is 'ignore or not consider'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.