You’ve probably heard someone say they “squirrel away” money or snacks. It just means they hide or save something now so they can use it later.
If you squirrel something away, you put it somewhere safe or secret for future use, often adding a little at a time.
This post will walk you through how to use the phrase in conversation or writing, when it feels natural, and why people prefer to squirrel things away instead of spending or sharing right away.
You’ll find quick examples and tips you can actually use.
What Does It Mean to Squirrel Away?
Here’s what you’ll find: the phrase’s core meaning, where it comes from, and how people use it these days.
Check out each part for examples, quick contrasts, and handy words you can swap in.
Definition and Origins
When you squirrel away something, you hide or save it now to use later. People usually mean money, small stuff, or even spare time.
For example, you might squirrel away cash in a jar or stash extra snacks in the back of a kitchen drawer.
The phrase comes from what squirrels actually do—they bury nuts and seeds for the winter. That’s pretty clever, honestly.
Dictionaries trace the idiom back to the early 1900s, tying it to that animal habit. That explains why the phrase feels more about careful, private saving than big, public investing.
You’ll see both spellings in the past tense: “squirreled away” (US) and “squirrelled away” (UK). Both mean the same thing—someone hid or stored something for later.
Literal vs Idiomatic Use
If you use squirrel away literally, you mean someone or something physically hides stuff. Like a kid who squirrels away Halloween candy in a closet.
You can see the action.
The idiomatic use is broader. It covers saving or setting something aside, even if you don’t actually hide it in a secret spot.
You might squirrel away money, time, or even information. It doesn’t have to be a physical hiding place.
The tone usually feels modest or a bit secretive, not super formal or official.
Context really changes the feel. In casual conversation, squirrel away sounds friendly and relaxed.
In a formal report? You’d probably want “set aside” or “reserve” instead.
If someone says they’ve “squirreled away savings,” you know they quietly saved a little at a time.
Common Synonyms and Alternatives
You can swap in lots of words for squirrel away, depending on the vibe.
- Informal: stash, hide, hoard.
- Neutral: save, put aside, set aside.
- Formal or bigger scale: stockpile, reserve.
Use stash or squirreled away for personal, small stuff. Go with set aside when you want a neutral, everyday phrase.
Stockpile works when you’re talking about a lot of something, or emergency supplies.
Example swaps:
- “She squirreled away cash” → “She saved cash.”
- “They squirrel away supplies” → “They stockpile supplies.”
If you want more on spelling or usage, check out the Oxford entry on squirrel away.
How to Use Squirrel Away in Everyday Conversation
You can use “squirrel away” when you want to talk about hiding or saving things for later.
It fits when someone puts aside items, money, or energy so they can use them in the future.
When to Use Squirrel Away
Say “squirrel away” if you want to show careful or secret saving. It works great for small, steady actions, like dropping cash in a jar every week or hiding spare keys somewhere safe.
It’s best for casual talk with friends, family, or even coworkers.
Skip it in very formal writing—like legal documents or official reports. Use “save,” “set aside,” or “reserve” for those.
You can also use “squirreling away” to show the action is ongoing. If you want it to sound a bit secretive, “squirrel away” does the job.
Examples for Money, Objects, and Resources
Money: “I squirrel away $20 from every paycheck into a rainy-day fund.”
Objects: “She squirreled away old toys in the attic for her kids.”
Resources: “The team squirreled away extra batteries and water for the field trip.”
Stick to short, clear sentences to make your point. Swap in “save,” “put aside,” or “collect” sometimes to avoid repeating yourself.
Use present tense for habits: “You squirrel away.” For something you did once, use past tense: “You squirreled away.”
Grammar and Tense Variations
Present simple: “You squirrel away cash every month.” This just shows a habit, nothing fancy.
Present continuous: “You are squirreling away supplies now.” That one’s for stuff happening right now.
Past simple: “You squirreled away the invitation in a drawer.” Use this when the action’s done and dusted.
Always match your subject and tense. For third person singular, just tack on an -s: “He squirrels away coins.”
Progressive forms really highlight that something’s happening in the moment.
For the perfect tense, you’d say “You have squirrelled away” if you’re using British spelling, or “You have squirreled away” for American. Pick whichever suits your readers best.
