What Does “Store sth away” Mean?
“Store sth away” means to put something in a safe or particular place for future use or safekeeping.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “store sth away” is commonly used in English to describe the action of placing items somewhere safe or out of immediate reach. It often implies saving or keeping something for later use. Understanding the store sth away meaning helps learners use it correctly in everyday conversations. Whether you are talking about storing food in the fridge or saving money, this phrasal verb fits many contexts. It is a useful phrase to express the idea of organizing or putting things aside carefully.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: store sth away (store something away)
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To put something in a safe place for future use
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Store sth away” is separable. You can place the object (something) between “store” and “away” or after the whole phrasal verb.
- store something away
- store away something
Example:
- She stored the documents away carefully.
- She stored away the documents carefully.
How to Use Store sth away?
You use “store sth away” when talking about putting items somewhere safe or saving something for later. It can refer to physical objects, like food or clothes, or abstract things, like money or information.
It often appears in daily life contexts such as organizing your home, saving money, or keeping personal items safe.
Examples
Here are some natural sentences using “store sth away”:
- After the party, we stored the leftover food away in the fridge.
- She likes to store away some money every month for emergencies.
- He stored away his winter clothes in the attic during summer.
- They store away important documents in a locked cabinet.
- Children often store away their toys after playing.
These examples show how to store sth away in a sentence naturally.
Common Mistakes
Many learners confuse “store away” with similar phrases or misuse the object placement.
- Incorrect: I store away in the box my books.
Correct: I store my books away in the box. - Incorrect: She stored away money some.
Correct: She stored away some money.
Remember, the object should be placed between “store” and “away” or after the entire phrasal verb.
Differences / Synonyms
“Store sth away” is similar to “put sth away” and “save up,” but they differ slightly:
- Put sth away: Generally means to return something to its usual place. It focuses on tidying.
Example: Put away your clothes. - Store sth away: Emphasizes keeping something safe or saving for future use.
Example: Store away winter clothes during summer. - Save up: Used mostly for money, meaning to keep money over time.
Example: She saved up for a new car.
Common Collocations
People often store away specific items. Here are common collocations with “store away”:
- Money: To save money for later use.
- Food: To keep food in a safe place, like a fridge or pantry.
- Clothes: Seasonal clothes stored away when not needed.
- Documents: Important papers placed in a safe location.
- Toys: Children’s toys stored away after playing.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of store sth away:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “store sth away”:
Anna: Where do you keep all your Christmas decorations?
Ben: I store them away in the garage after the holidays.
Anna: That’s smart. It keeps everything organized.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence:
- A) I store away my books on the shelf.
- B) I store my books away on the shelf.
- C) I store on the shelf away my books.
Answer: B) I store my books away on the shelf.
FAQ
- Q: Can “store away” be used for money?
A: Yes, it means saving money for future use. - Q: Is “store sth away” separable?
A: Yes, you can place the object between “store” and “away” or after the phrasal verb. - Q: What is the difference between “store away” and “put away”?
A: “Store away” means keeping something safe for later, while “put away” means tidying or returning to its place. - Q: Can I say “store away” for information?
A: Yes, it can mean keeping information in your memory or a safe place. - Q: What level is “store sth away”?
A: It is generally at the intermediate (B1) level.
