save up

keep money over time so you can buy something later

B1

What does "save (sth) up" mean?

To save up means to keep money over a period of time — weeks, months, or even years — so that you can afford something in the future. It is not just about not spending money; the idea is that you are gradually building up a sum towards a specific goal, like a holiday, a car, or a deposit on a flat. The word 'up' is important here — it gives the sense of money increasing and adding up over time, which is why 'save up' feels different from simply 'save'. You will often see it used with 'for' to describe the goal: 'saving up for a wedding' or 'saving up for a new phone'. It is a neutral, everyday phrase that is equally natural in conversation and in written English.

Examples

How to use it

save up for + noun

The most common pattern — use 'for' to say what you are saving towards.

They've been saving up for a holiday in Japan for over a year.

save up to + infinitive

Use 'to' and a verb to describe the action you want to be able to do once you have enough money.

She's saving up to buy her first car.

save + pronoun + up

When the object is a pronoun, it must go between 'save' and 'up' — never after 'up'.

His parents gave him some birthday money and he decided to save it up.

save up + noun

Short noun phrases can come after 'up' without separating the phrasal verb.

It took him three months to save up enough for a new laptop.

save up (no object)

When the goal is already clear from the conversation, you can use 'save up' on its own without mentioning what you are saving for.

I'd love to go, but I can't afford it yet — I'll need to save up first.

Common Collocations

save up for a housesave up for a holidaysave up enough moneysave up a depositsave up for a carsave up pocket money

Common Mistakes

Pronoun placement

When the object is a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', it must go between 'save' and 'up'. Putting the pronoun after 'up' is not correct in English.

✗ I got some extra cash, so I'll save up it.
✓ I got some extra cash, so I'll save it up.
Using 'save' and 'save up' interchangeably

'Save up' suggests a gradual process over time with a specific goal in mind, whereas 'save' on its own can describe a single act of not spending. Use 'save up' when the process takes weeks or months and you have a clear target.

✗ I saved up £5 by choosing the cheaper sandwich.
✓ I saved £5 by choosing the cheaper sandwich. / I'm saving up for a new bike.
Splitting with a long noun phrase

It sounds unnatural to put a very long noun phrase between 'save' and 'up'. Keep separation only for short objects or pronouns, and let long phrases follow 'up'.

✗ She saved enough money to cover the whole trip up.
✓ She saved up enough money to cover the whole trip.

Usage

Use 'save up' when talking about gradually accumulating money over time for a specific goal. It is neutral and works in both spoken and written English. The goal is usually expressed with 'for': 'I'm saving up for a new laptop'.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'save up' without saying what I'm saving for?

Yes, this is very natural in spoken English when the goal is already clear from the conversation. For example, if someone asks why you are not going on a trip, you might just say 'I need to save up first.' You only need to add 'for' or 'to' when the goal is not already obvious.

Does 'save up' only mean saving money?

In this sense, yes — it refers to gradually building up money over time towards a goal. However, you might also hear 'save up' used for non-financial things, like 'save up your questions until the end' or 'save up your energy'. Context always makes the meaning clear, and on this page we are only looking at the money-related sense.

Is it natural to say 'money is being saved up'?

This sounds quite awkward and is best avoided. 'Save up' focuses on the person doing the saving, so it is much more natural to keep the person as the subject: 'She is saving up' rather than 'The money is being saved up'.

What kinds of goals can follow 'saving up for'?

Almost any purchase or financial goal works: a house, a car, a holiday, a wedding, a new phone, university fees, or retirement. The goal is usually something that costs more than you can pay for straight away, which is why you need to build up the money over time.

Is 'save up' used in both British and American English?

Yes, 'save up' is widely used and understood in both British and American English. There is no significant difference in meaning or frequency between the two varieties.

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