What Does โStash sth awayโ Mean?
โStash sth awayโ means to hide or store something safely, often secretly or for future use.
Introduction
The phrasal verb โstash sth awayโ is commonly used in everyday English to describe the act of hiding or saving something, such as money, valuables, or items, in a secure or secret place. The โstash sth away meaningโ usually involves putting things somewhere safe to keep them hidden from others or to use later. Itโs useful in many contexts, from casual conversations about saving money to stories about hiding personal belongings. Understanding this phrase will help you sound more natural and fluent in English.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: stash something away
- Type: transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: to hide or save something secretly
Structure (Grammar Rules)
โStash awayโ is a separable phrasal verb. You can place the object between โstashโ and โawayโ or after โaway.โ
- Stash something away (object between verb and particle): She stashed the money away in her drawer.
- Stash away something (object after the particle): He stashed away some snacks for later.
Both forms are correct and commonly used.
How to Use Stash sth away?
Use โstash sth awayโ when you want to talk about hiding or saving something secretly or carefully. It often refers to money, food, documents, or personal items. You can use it in past, present, and future tenses by changing the verb โstashโ accordingly (stashed, stashing, will stash).
Example: โI usually stash away some cash for emergencies.โ
Examples
Here are some natural sentences using โstash sth awayโ:
- My grandmother stashed away old photos in a box under her bed.
- He stashed away some money every month to save for a new car.
- They stashed away the gifts so the children wouldnโt find them early.
- She likes to stash away snacks in her desk drawer for late-night cravings.
These examples show how to use โstash sth away in a sentenceโ in different situations.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse โstash awayโ with other phrasal verbs or use it incorrectly in sentence structure.
Incorrect: She stashed away in the money box the cash.
Correct: She stashed the cash away in the money box.
Incorrect: He stashed away the money secretly.
Correct: He stashed the money away secretly.
Remember to place the object either between โstashโ and โawayโ or after โawayโ for correct grammar.
Differences / Synonyms
โStash sth awayโ is similar to โhide,โ โsave up,โ and โput aside,โ but with slight differences:
- Hide: To put something where others cannot see it; more general.
- Save up: Specifically related to money or resources saved over time.
- Put aside: To save something for later use, often money or time.
โStash awayโ emphasizes secrecy or careful hiding, while the others may not imply secrecy.
Common Collocations
People often use โstash sth awayโ with certain objects. Here are some common collocations and their meanings:
- Money: To save cash secretly.
- Food/snacks: To hide food for later.
- Documents: To keep papers safe and hidden.
- Valuables: To hide important or expensive items.
- Gifts: To store presents secretly before a special occasion.
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using โstash sth awayโ:
Anna: Where do you keep your emergency money?
Tom: I usually stash it away in a secret drawer.
Anna: Thatโs smart! I should stash away some cash too.
Practice
Try to complete the sentence using โstash sth awayโ:
- I always _______ a little cash _______ for unexpected expenses.
- She _______ her favorite snacks _______ in her backpack.
- They _______ the old letters _______ in the attic.
Answers: stash away, stashes away, stashed away
FAQ
- Q: Is โstash sth awayโ formal or informal?
A: It is mostly informal and used in everyday spoken English. - Q: Can I use โstash awayโ with uncountable nouns?
A: Yes, you can stash away uncountable nouns like money or food. - Q: Is โstash sth awayโ separable?
A: Yes, you can separate the verb and particle with the object. - Q: What is the difference between โstash awayโ and โthrow awayโ?
A: โStash awayโ means to hide or save; โthrow awayโ means to discard or get rid of. - Q: Can โstash sth awayโ be used in the past tense?
A: Yes, for example, โShe stashed away her savings last year.โ
