1 A2 neutral
To set aside money gradually over time in order to have enough for a specific purchase or goal.
"She saved up for two years to buy her first car."
inseparable
save up
A2 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive
To gradually accumulate money over time, usually for a specific purpose.
In plain English
To keep some money each week or month so that eventually you have enough to buy something.
What does "save up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 informal
To collect or accumulate something (not money) for a later use.
"He saved up all his complaints and delivered them in one long email to the manager."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To save and build the amount up — fairly transparent.
Actually means
To keep some money each week or month so that eventually you have enough to buy something.
Usage tip
One of the most common and universally known phrasal verbs in English. Used by all age groups in all varieties of English. Very frequently followed by 'for' to indicate the goal.
Words that pair with "save up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
money holiday deposit car wedding retirement
How to conjugate "save up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
save up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
saves up
he/she/it
Past simple
saved up
yesterday
Past participle
saved up
have + pp
-ing form
saving up
continuous
Hear "save up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "save up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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