layaway
lay aside
1. To physically move something out of the way. A noun or pronoun can be used between "lay" and "aside." I laid aside the book I had been reading and went downstairs to see what had happened. She has real trouble laying her phone aside for more than a few minutes at a time.
2. To stop doing something temporarily. A noun or pronoun can be used between "lay" and "aside." Can't we lay aside the arguing and have a civil dinner for once?
3. To abandon or forsake some pursuit or goal. A noun or pronoun can be used between "lay" and "aside." When my kids were younger, I chose to lay my career aspirations aside and become a stay-at-home dad.
4. To save or keep something for future use. A noun or pronoun can be used between "lay" and "aside." You should lay aside part of each paycheck and put it into a retirement fund.
See also: aside, lay
lay away
1. verb To bury someone who has died in the ground. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "lay" and "away." I still can't believe we're about to lay our father away tomorrow. When they lay me away, I want the whole affair to be a joyous one. I want it to be a celebration, not a mourning.
2. verb To hold something on behalf of someone else for future collection or delivery. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "lay" and "away." They said they'll lay the carpet away for me, and I can pay the remaining $100 when they deliver it next week. If you call us ahead of time, we can lay away any item you want so that it won't be sold before you arrive.
3. verb To save or reserve something, especially money, for future use. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "lay" and "away." If you can even lay away $100, it will go a long way toward paying off the loan.
4. noun The reservation of an item of merchandise after the customer pays a partial deposit with the retailer. More commonly spelled as a single word ("layaway"); also sometimes hyphenated. They said I can buy the sofa on lay away, and they'll deliver it as soon as I'm able to pay the remaining balance.
See also: away, lay
layaway
The act of purchasing something by paying for it in increments over time. Once the full price has been paid, the purchaser can take possession of the item. Usually used in the phrase "on layaway." A: "You can't afford an expensive necklace like this!" B: "Sure I can—especially since I bought it on layaway."
put (something) in layaway
To reserve some piece of merchandise by paying for a portion of it upfront and having it delivered when the remainder has been paid. They said I can put the sofa in layaway, and then I'll be able to have it delivered after I get my end-of-year bonus.
See also: layaway, put
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
lay someone away
Euph. to bury someone. Yes, he has passed. We laid him away last week. He laid away his uncle in a simple ceremony.
See also: away, lay
lay something aside
to set something aside; to place something to one side, out of the way. He laid his papers aside and went out to welcome the visitor. He laid aside his papers.
See also: aside, lay
lay something away (for someone)
to put something in storage for someone to receive at a later time. (Often said of a purchase that is held until it is paid for.) Please lay this away for me. I'll pay for it when I have the money. Please lay away this coat until I can get the money together.
See also: away, lay
put something in layaway
and put something in will-callto purchase something by paying part of the price initially, and not receiving the goods until all the money has been paid. I couldn't afford a winter coat right now, so I picked one out and put it in layaway. Please put this in will-call. I'll pay for it next month.
See also: layaway, put
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
lay aside
1. Give up, abandon, as in He laid aside all hopes of winning first prize. [First half of 1400s]
2. Also, lay away; lay by. Set apart for a reason, save for the future, as in They lay aside enough to pay the rent, or Because coffee prices were rising, she laid by enough for a month, or The store laid away the winter coat I wanted. [Early 1700s] The first variant gave rise, about 1970, to the term layaway plan, in which merchandise is laid away for a buyer who pays a deposit and receives it when payment is made in full. Also see lay down, def. 4; set aside.
See also: aside, lay
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
lay aside
v.
1. To stop being actively engaged with something: I will lay aside my reading and go for a walk when I finish this chapter. The lifeguard laid the binoculars aside and jumped in the water.
2. To abandon something, especially a plan, hope, or desire; give up something: The marooned sailors had lain aside any hope of being saved. When the loan fell through, they laid their plans of buying a house aside.
3. To save something for the future: I lay aside part of my paycheck every week to save for a new car. Let's lay part of your allowance aside to pay for the movies.
See also: aside, lay
lay away
v.
1. To reserve something for the future; save something: I'm laying away $500 just in case my car ever breaks down. The bride laid the dishes away for her trousseau.
2. To have something held for future delivery, especially by paying partly for it beforehand: I gave the salesman a check for $100, and he laid the carpet away for me. The manager laid away the oven until we could get to the store.
See also: away, lay
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
- lay aside
- wave aside
- brush aside
- throw aside
- thrust aside
- toss aside
- draw aside
- drawing
- put aside
- lay aside (something) for (someone or something)