lay away
C1Informal, Commercial
Definition
Meaning
To reserve an item for purchase by making periodic payments until the full price is paid.
To set something aside for future use or consideration; to store or keep something safely.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a phrasal verb. In retail contexts, it refers to a purchasing plan. The noun form 'layaway' (one word) is common in American English.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The retail practice and term 'layaway' is far more common and established in American English. In British English, similar schemes exist but are often called 'putting something on deposit' or 'reserving with payments'. The verb phrase 'lay away' is understood but less frequently used in UK commercial contexts.
Connotations
In the US, it often connotes a budget-friendly, traditional retail option, sometimes associated with holiday shopping. In the UK, it lacks strong commercial connotations and is more likely used in its literal sense of storing items.
Frequency
High frequency in US commercial/retail contexts; low-to-medium frequency in UK, mostly in literal storage contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] lay away [Object] (for [Recipient/Time])[Subject] lay [Object] awayVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Lay something away for a rainy day.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to a deferred payment purchase plan offered by retailers.
Academic
Rarely used. May appear in economic or consumer behaviour studies.
Everyday
Used when discussing saving for a specific item or storing seasonal goods.
Technical
Not typically used in technical fields.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We decided to lay away the winter coats in the attic.
- Can I lay away this vase and collect it next week?
American English
- I'm going to lay away this bike for my son's birthday.
- Many stores let you lay away holiday gifts in October.
adverb
British English
- (Not used as adverb)
American English
- (Not used as adverb)
adjective
British English
- (Rare as adjective) They have a lay-away option for large furniture.
- (Rare) The layaway scheme requires a deposit.
American English
- She used the store's layaway plan for the jewellery.
- Is this item available for layaway purchase?
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She will lay away her toys.
- We lay away money in a box.
- The shop lets you lay away items if you pay a deposit.
- I need to lay away my summer clothes for the winter.
- Before online shopping was popular, many people used to lay away Christmas presents for their families.
- The store's policy is to hold any item you lay away for up to 90 days.
- Despite the rise of credit, some budget-conscious consumers still prefer to lay away large purchases to avoid debt.
- The antique dealer agreed to let me lay away the clock, provided I made regular payments towards its total cost.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'LAYing' money 'AWAY' in a store's safe until you can collect your item.
Conceptual Metaphor
FUTURE IS A STORAGE SPACE (We place desired future possessions in a conceptual storage unit via payments).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation as "ложить прочь" which is incorrect. The retail concept is "покупка в рассрочку" or "резервирование с поэтапной оплатой". The storage meaning is "откладывать" or "убирать на хранение".
Common Mistakes
- Using 'lay' instead of 'lie' in similar contexts (e.g., 'I will lay away' vs. 'I will lie down').
- Confusing 'lay away' with 'put away' (which implies tidying, not reserving).
- Incorrect noun form: 'lay-away' (hyphenated) is less standard than 'layaway'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'lay away' MOST commonly used in American English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Layaway' (one word) is the common American English noun for the purchase plan. 'Lay away' (two words) is the phrasal verb form.
It is generally too informal for academic or formal business writing. Use alternatives like 'reserve with incremental payments' or 'defer purchase via instalments'.
Store policies vary, but typically you get a refund of payments made, minus a cancellation or service fee. The item is returned to stock.
Yes, it can be used literally to mean storing or putting something aside for future use, e.g., 'lay away supplies for an emergency'.