B1 Collocation Neutral 2 Min. Lesezeit

save for later

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Use it when you want to keep something but aren't ready to deal with it right now.

In 15 Sekunden

  • Keep something to use at a future time.
  • Commonly used for food, digital content, and tasks.
  • A polite way to delay an action without saying no.

Bedeutung

This phrase means you are putting something aside to use, eat, or look at later because you don't want to do it right now.

Wichtige Beispiele

3 von 6
1

At a restaurant with a large pizza

I'm full, so I'll save these last two slices for later.

I'm full, so I'll save these last two slices for later.

😊
2

Receiving a long email at work

Thanks for the report; I'll save it for later tonight.

Thanks for the report; I'll save it for later tonight.

💼
3

Online shopping

I like this shirt, but I'll save it for later in my cart.

I like this shirt, but I'll save it for later in my cart.

😊
🌍

Kultureller Hintergrund

This phrase reflects the modern struggle with 'content overload' and the Western habit of 'doggy bagging' food at restaurants. It became a standard UI element in e-commerce (like Amazon) to prevent cart abandonment, allowing shoppers to keep items without buying them immediately.

💡

The Pronoun Sandwich

If you use 'it' or 'them', put it in the middle: 'Save it for later'. It sounds much more natural than 'Save for later it'.

⚠️

Don't Forget!

In English culture, saying 'I'll save it for later' can sometimes be a polite way to say 'I'm not interested'. Context is key!

In 15 Sekunden

  • Keep something to use at a future time.
  • Commonly used for food, digital content, and tasks.
  • A polite way to delay an action without saying no.

What It Means

Save for later is about delayed gratification. It means you have something now, but you choose to keep it for the future. You aren't throwing it away. You aren't ignoring it. You are just hitting the 'pause' button. It is a very positive, organized way to manage your time or your stuff.

How To Use It

You can use this phrase as a verb. You can say, "I will save this for later." You can also use it as a noun in digital spaces, like a save for later list on Amazon. It works for physical objects like a slice of cake. It also works for digital things like a long YouTube video. Just place the object between save and for later if it's a short word like it or this.

When To Use It

Use it at a restaurant when the portion is too big. Tell the waiter, "I'll save the rest for later." Use it at work when a colleague sends a long report. Tell them, "I'll save that for later when I have more time." It's perfect for when you are overwhelmed but still interested. It shows you care but are busy right now.

When NOT To Use It

Don't use it for things that expire immediately. You can't save for later an ice cream cone in the sun. Also, don't use it if you actually mean "I never want to see this again." That is just being polite, but it can lead to a messy house or a full inbox. If you're breaking up with someone, definitely don't say you're saving them for later—that’s just cold!

Cultural Background

In the West, this phrase is tied to the concept of the "Leftover Culture." We love big portions, so we expect to take food home. Digitally, it represents our "Information Overload." We have so much to read that we need a mental or digital shelf to store things. It’s a survival phrase for the modern, busy world.

Common Variations

You might hear people say keep it for later or put it aside. In tech, you'll see save to bookmarks or read later. If you are talking about money, you might say save for a rainy day. But save for later remains the most common, everyday version for general use.

Nutzungshinweise

The phrase is incredibly versatile and safe for almost any social situation. Just remember that 'save it for later' is the most common word order for daily speech.

💡

The Pronoun Sandwich

If you use 'it' or 'them', put it in the middle: 'Save it for later'. It sounds much more natural than 'Save for later it'.

⚠️

Don't Forget!

In English culture, saying 'I'll save it for later' can sometimes be a polite way to say 'I'm not interested'. Context is key!

💬

The 'Doggy Bag'

In the US, 'saving for later' at a restaurant is expected. Don't be shy to ask for a box; it's culturally normal!

Beispiele

6
#1 At a restaurant with a large pizza
😊

I'm full, so I'll save these last two slices for later.

I'm full, so I'll save these last two slices for later.

Refers to taking food home in a box.

#2 Receiving a long email at work
💼

Thanks for the report; I'll save it for later tonight.

Thanks for the report; I'll save it for later tonight.

Professional way to manage a busy schedule.

#3 Online shopping
😊

I like this shirt, but I'll save it for later in my cart.

I like this shirt, but I'll save it for later in my cart.

Using a specific website feature.

#4 Watching a movie with a partner
🤝

I'm too tired to finish this movie, let's save the rest for later.

I'm too tired to finish this movie, let's save the rest for later.

Suggesting to stop an activity and resume it later.

#5 A funny moment with a snack
😄

I said I'd save this chocolate for later, but 'later' was two minutes ago.

I said I'd save this chocolate for later, but 'later' was two minutes ago.

Humorous take on lack of self-control.

#6 A parent talking to a child
💭

Save your energy for later; we have a long walk ahead.

Save your energy for later; we have a long walk ahead.

Using the phrase for abstract concepts like energy.

Teste dich selbst

Choose the correct way to use the phrase in a sentence.

That's a great video, but I'm busy. I think I'll ___.

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: save it for later

When using a pronoun like 'it', it usually goes between 'save' and 'for later'.

Complete the restaurant scenario.

I can't finish this steak. Can you wrap it up so I can ___?

✓ Richtig! ✗ Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: save it for later

You are saving 'it' (the steak) for a future time.

🎉 Ergebnis: /2

Visuelle Lernhilfen

Formality of 'Save for later'

Informal

Talking to friends about snacks.

Save some for later!

Neutral

Standard daily use in shops or offices.

I'll save this file for later.

Formal

Polite business requests.

We shall save this discussion for later.

Common Places to Save for Later

Save for Later
🍕

Restaurant

Taking leftovers home.

🛒

E-commerce

Moving items out of a shopping cart.

📱

Social Media

Bookmarking a post to read.

💼

Workplace

Postponing a non-urgent task.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

It means you are keeping an item or a task to deal with at a future time instead of now. For example, I'll save this cake for later means you'll eat it tonight or tomorrow.

It is neutral. You can use it with your boss (I'll save this email for later) or with your best friend (Save that story for later).

Usually, the object goes in the middle if it's a short pronoun. Say Save it for later. If it's a long phrase, you can put it at the end: Save for later all the documents I sent you.

Usually, no. It sounds like you are treating a person like an object. However, you can say Save that thought for later if someone interrupts you.

Postpone is more formal and usually refers to events or meetings. Save for later is more common for physical objects or small tasks.

In digital apps, you might just see the word Save or a bookmark icon, which implies 'saving for later'.

Yes, keep for later is almost identical in meaning, though save is slightly more common for food and digital items.

On websites like Amazon, it's a section where you move items you want to remember but aren't ready to buy yet.

Not if you say it politely. Let's save that topic for later is a great way to stay focused on the current agenda.

Not always! Sometimes people say it to be polite, even if they might forget. It's the 'soft' version of saying no.

Verwandte Redewendungen

Put it on ice

To delay a plan or idea for a long time.

Rain check

A polite way to decline an invitation now but suggest doing it another time.

Save for a rainy day

To save money for a time when you might really need it.

Hold that thought

Used to tell someone to remember what they were about to say while you do something else.

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