save for a rainy day

🌎Region: International 📊Difficulty Level:intermediate

💡Meaning

To set money or resources aside now so you have them available for future trouble, emergencies, or unexpected needs.

🕰️Origin

The metaphor compares hard times to a “rainy day.” The phrase has been used since at least the 16th century, notably appearing in collections of proverbs, and became a common way to advise thrift and preparation.

📝Notes

Practical, prudent tone; implies future uncertainty and preparedness. Common in everyday advice, personal finance, and business contexts; neutral to mildly approving.

💬Examples

I’m putting a little money aside each month to save for a rainy day.
She resisted buying a new phone and decided to save for a rainy day instead.
After losing his job, he was grateful he had saved for a rainy day.
We keep an emergency kit at home to save for a rainy day.
Any bonus I get goes straight into savings to save for a rainy day.

📘Grammar & Usage Notes

Uses “save” as the main verb; can inflect (saved/saving). Often appears as “save (money) for a rainy day.” The phrase “for a rainy day” can modify other verbs (set aside, keep).

🔗Synonyms

set money aside
put money away
save up
keep something in reserve
stash away

↔️Antonyms

live for today
spend it all
blow your money