# put by

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/put-by
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to save money regularly so you can use it later.

For teachers: to save or reserve an amount of money for future use. Transitive; often implies a gradual accumulation of funds over time.

## Examples

- I try to put by a little money every month for my holiday.
- After years of putting by a portion of her salary, she finally had enough for a down payment on a house.
- The family managed to survive the economic downturn only because they had put by significant reserves during the preceding decade of prosperity.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I am putting by for a new car." but "I am putting money by for a new car." — the verb is transitive and usually requires an explicit object like 'money' or 'savings' to be grammatically complete.

## Usage notes

- usually takes money or a specific amount as its object.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'put away' and 'save up'; 'put by' specifically emphasizes the act of reserving for an uncertain future.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.