squirrel away
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To stash or hide; to hoard, collect, save, or accumulate; to create a reserve, stash, or hoard of some supply.
Register: informal
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
He had bits of string, cans of nails and lots of other useful tidbits squirreled away throughout his garage.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “squirrel away” mean?
To stash or hide; to hoard, collect, save, or accumulate; to create a reserve, stash, or hoard of some supply.
Is “squirrel away” formal or informal?
squirrel away is generally informal.