squirrel away

squirrel away

To hide, reserve, or hoard something for future use. A noun or pronoun can be used between "squirrel" and "away." I've been squirreling away a little bit of money each so that I can afford a trip to Spain next summer. It turns out she'd been squirreling office supplies away in the filing cabinet near her desk. The company has been accused of squirreling away huge amounts of customers' data, which it then implemented into its advertising algorithms across its various platforms.
See also: away, squirrel
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

squirrel something away

Fig. to hide something or store something in the way that a squirrel stores nuts for use in the winter. I squirreled a little money away for an occasion such as this. Liz squirreled away a lot of money while she was working.
See also: away, squirrel
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

squirrel away

Hide or store, as in She squirreled away her savings in at least four different banks. This expression alludes to the squirrel's habit of hiding nuts and acorns in the ground. [First half of 1900s]
See also: away, squirrel
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

squirrel away

v.
To hide or store something: They have been squirreling away money in an offshore bank account. The children were squirreling candy away in their rooms.
See also: away, squirrel
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.

squirrel something away

tv. to hide something in reserve. Here is some food. I squirreled it away in my suitcase.
See also: away, something, squirrel
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • bring away
  • blaze away
  • blaze away at (someone or something)
  • bury away
  • chew away
  • boring
  • borne
  • bear away
  • chuck away
  • cut away
References in periodicals archive
Enjoy youth's wonders Before old age plunders Squirrel away memories for future reference To ponder on with awed reverence To have been so young And had so much fun For behind these old rheumy eyes The young girl still flies And twirls and whirls Always to be that very young girl.
POET'S CORNER
However, people in Wales manage to squirrel away on average pounds 253 a month.
Society says Welsh are top savers
James Wright, marketing director of Principality Building Society, said: "Saving in a cash Isa with its ongoing tax-free benefits makes a lot of sense and the increased annual limit offers committed savers even more incentive to squirrel away their cash.
Nine in 10 people unaware of new cash Isa maximum investment
While the typical man saved pounds 1,206.50, the average woman could only squirrel away pounds 794.89.
Men save more money that women
The more money you squirrel away, the better your chances of avoiding a bare-bones retirement.
Getting ready for retirement
We need to budget so that we can squirrel away a financial safety net to cover unexpected bills - and to ensure we have the funds to enjoy the lifestyle we want throughout our lives.
Welcome
Richard Housley ,57, and Caroline Laing, 55, helped Voudouri and his associates squirrel away PS1.8million of dirty cash.
Voudouri cash pair face jail
AN international break is the perfect time to squirrel away a little ante-post acorn, and an FA Cup nibble is just the job.
STICK WITH FAB FIVE FOR FA CUP BOOTY; BEST BETS
Within minutes of entering the woods Asha had scared the first squirrel away but, with the kids quiet, we soon found some more.
: Countryside: Off out; ``Where shall we take the kids?'' Each week, during the school summer holidays, we'll be suggesting a few tried and tested days out within striking distance of the North West and North Wales. This week Mike Price and his family visit Formby, Merseyside
More than a third squirrel away an average of 90p a week.
Personal Finance: Girls richer and lazier than boys
The best way to avoid a bare-bones retirement is to squirrel away as much money as possible.
How much do you really need to retire?
THE survey that revealed people like to squirrel away secret stashes of dough shouldn't have come as a shock.
Bob Shields: Dig in and fill your boots, son
ADRIENNE SAYS: You could try mixing the food with Squirrel Away powder (available from garden centres).
Gardening: Q&A
He revealed: "These days, I squirrel away a few quid to put on GAA or football in Paddy Power.
Oliver is banking on bookies; RADIO
Over the past two years "shrapnel savers" have shot up as three times as many households now squirrel away their loose change - to be converted into "real money" and spent later.
Make your coins work; Cash point