1 save
Pronounced:
/ˈseɪv/
Function:
verbInflected forms:
saves; saved; sav·ingMeaning:
1 [+ obj] a : to keep (someone or something) safe : to stop (someone or something) from dying or being hurt, damaged, or lost ▪ He risked his life to save his friend (from drowning). ▪ The organization is dedicated to saving [=protecting] endangered animals. ▪ We need to save the rain forests (from destruction). ▪ He grabbed her arm to save her from falling. [=to stop/prevent her from falling so that she would not be hurt] ▪ The doctors managed to save the soldier's wounded leg. [=to keep the leg from having to be cut off] b : to stop (something) from ending or failing : to make (something that is in danger of failing) successful ▪ He is trying to save his marriage by going to counseling for his drug addiction. ▪ The new CEO saved the company (from bankruptcy). ▪ She saved a tense situation by staying calm.
2 : to keep (something) from being lost or wasted [+ obj] ▪ This new plan will help us save time. = The new plan will save us some time. ▪ Thinner computer monitors save space. [no obj] —+ on ▪ A more efficient furnace will save on energy.
3 a : to keep money instead of spending it : to put money away especially in a bank so that you will have it in the future [no obj] ▪ She would rather save than spend. ▪ He has been saving (up) for a new car. [+ obj] ▪ Save a little money for later. ▪ She saves part of her pay every week. ▪ I saved $20,000 for a down payment on the house. b : to spend less money [no obj] ▪ Buy now and save! —often + on ▪ Save on everything in the store! ▪ He saved on [=spent less money for] his car insurance by switching to a different insurance company. [+ obj] ▪ She saved $15 at the grocery store by using coupons. —often + on ▪ We're trying to save money on our electric bill.
4 [+ obj] a : to keep (something) available for use in the future ▪ Be sure to save some cookies for your sister. ▪ You need to save (up) your energy for tomorrow. ▪ He saves his best jacket for special occasions. [=he only wears his best jacket on special occasions] ▪ The runners saved their energy for the last lap. = The runners saved themselves for the last lap. b : to keep (something) for someone to use or have ▪ She saved a seat for her friend. ▪ Please save the next dance for me. = Please save me the next dance. [=please don't plan to dance the next dance with anyone but me]
5 [+ obj] : to make (something) unnecessary ▪ Check that you have everything before you leave. It will save your having to go back again. ▪ The shortcut saves an hour's driving.
6 [+ obj] : to keep (someone) from doing something ▪ Thanks for sending out that package. It saved me a trip to the post office. ▪ I'll make the appointment for you to save you the trouble/bother. [=so that you don't have to do it yourself] —often + from ▪ You should cut up the vegetables to save you from doing it later when the guests are here.
7 [+ obj] : to collect or keep (something) ▪ She saved all his letters.
8 : to store (data) in a computer or on a storage device (such as a CD) so that it can be used later [+ obj] ▪ You should save your work on/to a disk. ▪ save a file [no obj] ▪ Don't forget to save before you close the file.
9 [+ obj] sports a : to stop (an opponent's shot) from scoring a goal ▪ He saved the penalty kick/shot. b : to keep (a game) from being lost to an opponent ▪ The relief pitcher saved the game.
10 in Christianity : to protect or free (someone) from sin or evil [+ obj] ▪ He believes that Jesus Christ will save him. [no obj] ▪ Jesus saves.
2 : to keep (something) from being lost or wasted [+ obj] ▪ This new plan will help us save time. = The new plan will save us some time. ▪ Thinner computer monitors save space. [no obj] —+ on ▪ A more efficient furnace will save on energy.
3 a : to keep money instead of spending it : to put money away especially in a bank so that you will have it in the future [no obj] ▪ She would rather save than spend. ▪ He has been saving (up) for a new car. [+ obj] ▪ Save a little money for later. ▪ She saves part of her pay every week. ▪ I saved $20,000 for a down payment on the house. b : to spend less money [no obj] ▪ Buy now and save! —often + on ▪ Save on everything in the store! ▪ He saved on [=spent less money for] his car insurance by switching to a different insurance company. [+ obj] ▪ She saved $15 at the grocery store by using coupons. —often + on ▪ We're trying to save money on our electric bill.
4 [+ obj] a : to keep (something) available for use in the future ▪ Be sure to save some cookies for your sister. ▪ You need to save (up) your energy for tomorrow. ▪ He saves his best jacket for special occasions. [=he only wears his best jacket on special occasions] ▪ The runners saved their energy for the last lap. = The runners saved themselves for the last lap. b : to keep (something) for someone to use or have ▪ She saved a seat for her friend. ▪ Please save the next dance for me. = Please save me the next dance. [=please don't plan to dance the next dance with anyone but me]
5 [+ obj] : to make (something) unnecessary ▪ Check that you have everything before you leave. It will save your having to go back again. ▪ The shortcut saves an hour's driving.
6 [+ obj] : to keep (someone) from doing something ▪ Thanks for sending out that package. It saved me a trip to the post office. ▪ I'll make the appointment for you to save you the trouble/bother. [=so that you don't have to do it yourself] —often + from ▪ You should cut up the vegetables to save you from doing it later when the guests are here.
7 [+ obj] : to collect or keep (something) ▪ She saved all his letters.
8 : to store (data) in a computer or on a storage device (such as a CD) so that it can be used later [+ obj] ▪ You should save your work on/to a disk. ▪ save a file [no obj] ▪ Don't forget to save before you close the file.
9 [+ obj] sports a : to stop (an opponent's shot) from scoring a goal ▪ He saved the penalty kick/shot. b : to keep (a game) from being lost to an opponent ▪ The relief pitcher saved the game.
10 in Christianity : to protect or free (someone) from sin or evil [+ obj] ▪ He believes that Jesus Christ will save him. [no obj] ▪ Jesus saves.
a penny saved (is a penny earned) —see penny
save face —see 1face
save someone's bacon/hide/neck/skin
informal : to save someone : to help someone get out of a dangerous or difficult situation ▪ You really saved my bacon by helping out yesterday. ▪ He doesn't care what happens to us. All he's worried about is saving his own skin/neck. [=saving himself]
save someone's life
1 or save a life : to stop (someone) from dying or being killed : to rescue (someone) who is in terrible danger ▪ She thanked the firefighters who saved her life. [=rescued her] ▪ a surgical procedure that has saved the lives of thousands of people ▪ The use of seat belts can save lives. ▪ If you donate blood, you might save a life.
2 informal : to help (someone) in an important way —often used to thank someone who helped you ▪ Thanks for covering for me. You really saved my life.
2 informal : to help (someone) in an important way —often used to thank someone who helped you ▪ Thanks for covering for me. You really saved my life.
save the day
: to make a bad situation end successfully ▪ Just when things looked hopeless, my brother came along and saved the day.
save your breath —see breath
to save your life
informal ◊If you cannot do something to save your life, you are completely unable to do it. ▪ She can't sing to save her life. [=she is a very bad singer]