save 1 S1 W1 / seɪv / 动词

1 from harm/danger [及物动词] to make someone or something safe from danger, harm, or destruction → rescue :

Emergency aid could save millions threatened with starvation.

a new treatment that could save his life

She was determined to save her marriage.

the campaign to save the rain forests

save somebody/something from something

He saved the child from drowning.

2 money [不及物和及物动词] ( also save up ) to keep money in a bank so that you can use it later, especially when you gradually add more money over a period of time :

He managed to save enough to buy a small house.

So far, I’ve saved about £500.

save for

I’m saving up for a new car. → saver

3 not waste [及物动词] ( also save on something ) to use less money, time, energy etc so that you do not waste any 反义词 waste :

We’ll save a lot of time if we go by car.

Everyone is being encouraged to save energy.

ways to save money on heating bills

energy-saving/time-saving etc

money-saving ideas

4 to use later [及物动词] to keep something so that you can use or enjoy it in the future :

We’ll save the rest of the food and have it later.

save something for something

I had a bottle of champagne which I’d been saving for a special occasion.

5 collect [及物动词] ( also save something ↔ up ) to keep all the objects of a particular kind that you can find, so that you can use them :

I’m saving up vouchers to get a cheap air ticket to the States.

6 help to avoid [及物动词] to help someone by making it unnecessary for them to do something that they do not want to do :

If you lent me £5, it would save me a trip to the bank.

save somebody doing something

I’ll take the shopping home in the car to save you carrying it.

save somebody the trouble/bother (of doing something)

I’ll get a taxi from the station to save you the trouble of coming to collect me.

7 keep for somebody [及物动词] to stop people from using something so that it is available for someone else :

Will you save me a seat?

save something for somebody

We’ll save some dinner for you if you’re late.

8 computer [不及物和及物动词] to make a computer keep the work that you have done on it :

Don’t forget to save before you close the file.

Did you save the changes that you made?

9 sport [不及物和及物动词] to stop the other team from scoring in a game such as football :

The goalkeeper just managed to save the shot.

10 you saved my life spoken used to thank someone who has helped you out of a difficult situation or solved a problem for you :

Thanks again for the loan – you really saved my life.

11 save sb’s skin/neck/bacon informal to help someone to escape from an extremely difficult or dangerous situation :

He lied in court to save his own skin.

12 save the day to stop things from going badly and make a situation end successfully :

A local businessman saved the day by donating £30,000 to the school.

13 save face to do something that will stop you from looking stupid or feeling embarrassed :

A compromise must be found which will allow both sides in the dispute to save face. → face-saving

14 saving grace the one good thing that makes someone or something acceptable :

His sense of humour was his only saving grace.

15 somebody can’t do something to save his/her life informal to be completely unable to do something :

He couldn’t draw to save his life!

16 save your breath spoken used to tell someone that it is not worth saying anything, because nothing they say will make any difference to the situation :

I tried to explain, but she told me to save my breath.

17 save somebody from themselves to prevent someone from doing something that they want to do but that you think is harmful

18 religion [不及物和及物动词] in the Christian church, to free someone from the power of evil and bring them into the Christian religion :

Jesus came to save sinners.

THESAURUS

save to gradually collect money by not spending all the money you have, especially when you regularly put some of it in a bank : She doesn’t earn much, but she still manages to save a few dollars each week. | We’re saving for a deposit to buy a house.

set/put aside to regularly save part of the money you earn, especially over a long period of time : You should start setting aside part of your earnings as retirement savings.

scrimp and save to try to save money by spending less on the things you need and by saving what you can, especially when you do not earn very much : My parents scrimped and saved for years to send me to college.

squirrel something away informal to keep something, especially money, in a safe place to be used later : I wanted to surprise her, so I squirreled away a couple of dollars a week to spend on a present.

economize to spend less money by buying only the things that you really need, or by buying cheaper things : Weddings can be expensive, but you can economize by doing some things yourself.