1 B2 idiomatic informal
To save money gradually, especially in a secret or unofficial way.
"Over thirty years, she had salted away enough money to buy a cottage by the sea."
separable
salt away
B2 informal separable transitive
To save money, especially large amounts, secretly or for future use.
In plain English
To save money somewhere safe and secret for later.
What does "salt away" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 informal
To store or put something safely aside for future use.
"He salted away a few bottles of good wine in the cellar for special occasions."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To pack and preserve food using salt — money is 'preserved' for the future.
Actually means
To save money somewhere safe and secret for later.
Usage tip
Often implies that the savings are hidden, untaxed, or surprisingly large. The metaphor comes from preserving food with salt. Used in British and American English.
Words that pair with "salt away"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
money cash profits earnings fortune savings
How to conjugate "salt away"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
salt away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
salts away
he/she/it
Past simple
salted away
yesterday
Past participle
salted away
have + pp
-ing form
salting away
continuous
Hear "salt away" in the wild
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