What does “To lay by for a rainy day.” mean?
"To lay by for a rainy day" means to save or conserve resources for use in the future when they may be needed or in short supply. It suggests a practical and prudent approach to financial management.
What context can I use the in?
Example
I always make sure to lay by for a rainy day. It's important to have savings for unexpected expenses.
Example
My grandmother taught me the value of laying by for a rainy day. She always emphasized the importance of saving money.
Example
I've been trying to lay by for a rainy day by cutting down on unnecessary expenses and putting money into a savings account
Is “To lay by for a rainy day.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“To lay by for a rainy day.” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “To lay by for a rainy day.” effectively in context?
You can use "To lay by for a rainy day" to emphasize the importance of saving or conserving resources for future use. It suggests a practical and prudent approach to financial management. For example, if a friend is considering spending all their money on a vacation, you might say, 'It's always a good idea to "lay by for a rainy day" and have some savings in case of emergencies.'
- 1Personal Finance
To achieve financial stability, it's important to lay by for a rainy day and have an emergency fund.
- 2Advice
When giving financial advice, you can recommend that someone lay by for a rainy day to prepare for unexpected expenses.
- 3Planning
When making a budget, it's wise to lay by for a rainy day and allocate a portion of your income for savings.
Similar phrases to “To lay by for a rainy day.”:
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “To lay by for a rainy day.” come from?
The origin of the phrase "To lay by for a rainy day" is unknown.
Is “To lay by for a rainy day.” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "To lay by for a rainy day" is a common proverb that is often used in everyday conversation. People use it to emphasize the importance of saving or conserving resources for future needs or emergencies.
What tone does “To lay by for a rainy day.” have?
"To lay by for a rainy day" conveys a tone of practicality and prudence. It suggests a responsible approach to financial management and encourages individuals to think ahead and be prepared for unexpected situations.
Can “To lay by for a rainy day.” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "To lay by for a rainy day" is commonly used in both informal and formal settings. It is a well-known proverb that conveys the idea of financial prudence. You can use it in casual conversations with friends and family, as well as in more formal discussions about personal finance or financial planning.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
The phrase is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'It's important to "lay by for a rainy day" and save money for unexpected expenses.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'Time to "lay by for a rainy day"!' to imply the need for saving.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- save for the future
- conserve resources
- prepare for emergencies
- set money aside
- build up savings
Antonyms
- spend freely
- live paycheck to paycheck
- waste resources
- neglect savings
- be unprepared
