stash
B2Informal
Definition
Meaning
To store something safely and secretly, often in a hidden place.
A secret store or cache of something, often of value or items one wants to keep hidden. Can refer to money, drugs, food, or personal collections.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word inherently implies secrecy and often illicit or personal concealment, though it can be used humorously or neutrally for ordinary collections.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the word similarly.
Connotations
Primarily informal, with possible criminal connotations depending on context (e.g., a drug stash). Can be playful for personal collections (e.g., a chocolate stash).
Frequency
Equally common and informal in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
stash sth (away)stash sth somewherehave a stash of sthVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Stash away for a rainy day.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare in formal business, but can appear informally (e.g., 'stashing away profits').
Academic
Very rare in formal academic writing.
Everyday
Common in informal speech for personal items, money, or food.
Technical
Used in computing/gaming (e.g., 'item stash' in a game).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He decided to stash the letters in the attic.
- I need to stash away some cash for my holiday.
American English
- She stashed the keys under the mat.
- They stashed the evidence before the police arrived.
adverb
British English
- N/A - not standard.
American English
- N/A - not standard.
adjective
British English
- N/A - not standard.
American English
- N/A - not standard.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have a stash of chocolates in my drawer.
- He stashed his toys under the bed.
- The squirrel stashes nuts for the winter.
- She found her brother's secret stash of comics.
- Authorities discovered a large stash of illegal weapons.
- It's wise to stash some savings in a separate account.
- The hacker had stashed the stolen data on an encrypted server.
- His memoir revealed the location of the art stash hidden since the war.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a STASH as something you STASH away in a flash, keeping it secret with a dash of privacy.
Conceptual Metaphor
SECRECY IS HIDING / VALUE IS A HIDDEN TREASURE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not a direct equivalent of 'заначка' in all contexts, as 'заначка' is almost exclusively for money. 'Stash' is broader. Avoid using for formal storage ('хранилище').
Common Mistakes
- Using it in formal writing. Incorrect preposition: 'stash into' (use 'stash in' or 'stash away').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'stash' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal. Use 'store', 'cache', or 'stockpile' in formal contexts.
Yes, very commonly (e.g., 'He found a stash of old letters').
No, it implies secrecy but can be used neutrally or humorously for personal items (e.g., a cookie stash).
Both involve storing, but 'hoard' implies accumulating large amounts, often obsessively, while 'stash' emphasizes the secret or hidden nature of the store.