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layaway

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lay something aside

to set something aside; to place something to one side, out of the way. He laid his papers aside and went out to welcome the visitor. He laid aside his papers.

See also: aside, lay

put something in layaway

 and put something in will-call

to purchase something by paying part of the price initially, and not receiving the goods until all the money has been paid. I couldn't afford a winter coat right now, so I picked one out and put it in layaway. Please put this in will-call. I'll pay for it next month.

See also: layaway, put

lay aside something

also lay something aside

to ignore something or decide that it is not important Our neighbors laid aside their personal safety to help us save our animals from the fire.

Related vocabulary: set aside something

See also: aside, lay

lay aside

1. Give up, abandon, as in He laid aside all hopes of winning first prize. [First half of 1400s]

2. Also, lay away; lay by. Set apart for a reason, save for the future, as in They lay aside enough to pay the rent, or Because coffee prices were rising, she laid by enough for a month, or The store laid away the winter coat I wanted. [Early 1700s] The first variant gave rise, about 1970, to the term layaway plan, in which merchandise is laid away for a buyer who pays a deposit and receives it when payment is made in full. Also see lay down, def. 4; set aside.

See also: aside, lay

lay aside

v.

1. To stop being actively engaged with something: I will lay aside my reading and go for a walk when I finish this chapter. The lifeguard laid the binoculars aside and jumped in the water.

2. To abandon something, especially a plan, hope, or desire; give up something: The marooned sailors had lain aside any hope of being saved. When the loan fell through, they laid their plans of buying a house aside.

3. To save something for the future: I lay aside part of my paycheck every week to save for a new car. Let's lay part of your allowance aside to pay for the movies.

See also: aside, lay