/ seɪv; NAmE / verb , noun , preposition , conjunction
■ verb
KEEP SAFE
1.
[ vn ] save sb/sth (from sth / from doing sth) to keep sb/sth safe from death, harm, loss, etc. :
to save sb's life
to save a rare species (from extinction)
Doctors were unable to save her.
She saved a little girl from falling into the water.
He's trying to save their marriage.
She needs to win the next two games to save the match.
Thanks for doing that. You saved my life (= helped me a lot) .
MONEY
2.
save (sth) (up) (for sth) to keep money instead of spending it, especially in order to buy a particular thing :
[ v ]
I'm not very good at saving.
I'm saving for a new bike.
We've been saving up to go to Australia.
[ vn ]
You should save a little each week.
I've saved almost £100 so far.
COLLECT STH
3.
[ vn ] to collect sth because you like it or for a special purpose :
I've been saving theatre programmes for years.
If you save ten tokens you can get a T-shirt.
KEEP FOR FUTURE
4.
save sth (for sth/sb) to keep sth to use or enjoy in the future :
[ vn , vnn ]
Save some food for me.
Save me some food.
[ vn ]
He's saving his strength for the last part of the race.
We'll eat some now and save some for tomorrow.
NOT WASTE
5.
save (sth) on sth | save sth (on sth) to avoid wasting sth or using more than necessary :
[ vn ]
We'll take a cab to save time.
Book early and save £50!
We should try to save water.
The government is trying to save £1 million on defence.
[ vnn ]
If we go this way it will save us two hours on the trip.
[ v ]
I save on fares by walking to work.
AVOID STH BAD
6.
to avoid doing sth difficult or unpleasant; to make sb able to avoid doing sth difficult or unpleasant :
[ vn ]
The prize money saved her from having to find a job.
She did it herself to save argument.
[ vnn ]
Thanks for sending that letter for me—it saved me a trip.
[ v -ing ]
He's grown a beard to save shaving.
[ vn -ing ]
If you phone for an appointment, it'll save you waiting.
IN SPORT
7.
( in football ( soccer ), hockey , etc. ) to prevent an opponent's shot from going in the goal :
[ v ]
The goalie saved brilliantly from Johnson's long-range shot.
[ vn ]
to save a penalty
COMPUTING
8.
to make a computer keep work, for example by putting it on a disk :
[ vn ]
Save data frequently.
[also v ]
•
IDIOMS
- not be able to do sth to save your life
- save sb's bacon / neck
- save the day / situation
- save (sb's) face
- save your breath
- save your (own) skin / hide / neck
■ noun
( in football, etc. ) an action by the goalkeeper that stops a goal being scored :
He made a spectacular save.
■ preposition
(also save for ) ( old use or formal ) except sth :
They knew nothing about her save her name.
■ conjunction
( old use or formal ) except :
They found out nothing more save that she had borne a child.
••
SYNONYMS
save
rescue ♦ bail out ♦ redeem
These words all mean to prevent sb/sth from dying, losing sth, being harmed or embarrassed.
save
to prevent sb/sth from dying, being harmed or destroyed or losing sth:
Doctors were unable to save him.
•
a campaign to save the panda from extinction
rescue
to save sb/sth from a dangerous or harmful situation:
They were rescued by a passing cruise ship.
bail sb out
to rescue sb/sth from a difficult situation, especially by providing money:
Don't expect me to bail you out if it all goes wrong.
redeem
( formal , religion ) to save sb from the power of evil:
He was a sinner, redeemed by the grace of God.
NOTE
Redeem is also used in non-religious language in the phrase redeem a situation , which means to prevent a situation from being as bad as it might be.
PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS :
to save / rescue / redeem sb/sth from sth
to be able / unable to save / rescue / bail out / redeem sb/sth
an attempt / effort to save / rescue / redeem sb/sth
to save / rescue / redeem a situation
to save / redeem sinners / mankind
to rescue sb / bail sb out financially
••
WORD ORIGIN
verb and noun Middle English : from Old French sauver , from late Latin salvare , from Latin salvus safe. The noun dates from the late 19th cent.
conjunction and preposition Middle English : from Old French sauf , sauve , from Latin salvo , salva (ablative singular of salvus safe), used in phrases such as salvo jure, salva innocentia with no violation of right or innocence.