Search results for 'save':

save verb (saved, saving) 1 to rescue, protect or preserve someone or something from danger, evil, loss or failure. 2 to use economically so as to prevent or avoid waste or loss. 3 intrans to be economical, especially with money • We're saving for the future. 4 to reserve or store for later use. 5 to spare from potential unpleasantness or inconvenience • Doing a dissertation saves you having to do two exams • That will save you having to make another trip. 6 to obviate or prevent. 7 sport to prevent (a ball or shot) from reaching the goal; to prevent (a goal) from being scored by the opposing team. 8 tr & intr, relig to deliver from the influence or consequences of sin; to act as a saviour • Jesus saves. 9 computing to transfer (data, the contents of a computer file, etc) onto a disk or tape for storage. noun 1 an act of saving a ball or shot, or of preventing a goal • He made a great save in that match. 2 computing the saving of data onto a disk or tape. prep (sometimes save for) except • Save for one, John lost all the books • We found all the tickets save one. conj, old use (often save that) were it not that; unless • I would have gone with her, save that she had already left. savable adj. saver noun. saved by the bell often exclamation rescued or saved from a difficult or unpleasant situation by a welcome interruption.
ETYMOLOGY: from the bell which indicates the end of a round in a boxing match. save one's or someone's bacon to enable oneself or them to escape or come off unscathed from a difficult situation. save one's or someone's face to prevent oneself or them from appearing foolish or wrong; to avoid humiliation. save one's or someone's skin or neck to save one's or their life • You really saved my skin when you snared the tiger. save or keep something for a rainy day see under rainy. save the day to prevent something from disaster, failure, etc • Colin saved the day by remembering to bring the map of the maze with him.
ETYMOLOGY: 13c: from French sauver, from Latin salvare, from salvus safe.