# salt away

CEFR C1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/salt-away
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to save money over a long time so you can use it later. You usually do this bit by bit for a future goal.

For teachers: To save or store something, typically money, for future use. This transitive verb implies a gradual accumulation or prudent preservation for the long term.

## Examples

- He salts away a portion of his paycheck every month.
- By salting away a small amount each week, she eventually had enough for a down payment on a house.
- The disgraced executive had salted away millions in offshore accounts before the fraud was finally uncovered by the auditors.

## Usage notes

- Commonly used with money, savings, or profits as the object.
- Teaching tip: Connect the phrase to the historical value of salt as a preservative to anchor the meaning of keeping something for future use.

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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.