seɪv fɔːr ə ˈreɪni deɪ
Money & Finance
neutral
beginner
- Literally:
- Keeping something for a day when it rains
What does "save for a rainy day" mean?
- To save money or resources for future emergencies
- To set aside something for difficult times
Examples
- I'm saving this bonus for a rainy day.
- It's important to save for a rainy day.
- She always puts some money aside for a rainy day.
Origin
From farming—farmers needed reserves for days when weather prevented work. Common since the 16th century.
How to use it
Classic financial advice. Often used by parents teaching children about saving.
Similar expressions
save for emergencies
put aside
set aside
keep in reserve
Opposites
spend freely
live for today
splurge
Related idioms
- pay an arm and a leg
To pay an extremely high price
- make ends meet
To earn just enough money to cover basic expenses
- cost an arm and a leg
To be very expensive
- money doesn't grow on trees
Money is not easily acquired; it must be earned
- break the bank
To cost too much money
- hit the jackpot
To achieve great success or win something valuable
Use it in a practice answer
Try "save for a rainy day" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.