To save something for a rainy day, especially money, means to keep it for a time in the future when it may be needed; to put something aside for a future time of need.
Why Is It Called a “Rainy Day”?
In English, a ‘rainy day’ is used metaphorically to refer to a time of need or trouble, especially when one does not have much money. Rainy day, then, can be used on its own as an idiom. However, it is most often used in the idiom variation “save something for a rainy day.”
A rainy day, in this idiom, is usually a time of financial need. Therefore, the idiom usually refers to a time of trouble or bad luck when one might need to have some money put aside.
Can You Save Things Other Than Money for a Rainy Day?
You can save other things, besides money, for a rainy day, especially things that are useful but that cannot be reused.
No matter what is being ‘saved’ the idiom still tends to refer to a time of diminished resources when you are low on money. So the types of things being saved will be valuable, useful, or important things that are not reusable.
One would not save, for example, a cupcake for a rainy day. Instead, in English, we’d say “I’m going to save this cupcake for later.”
On the other hand, a valuable bottle of wine might be saved for a rainy day, or, in other words, a time when you could not afford such an extravagance.
Other verbs, besides save, can be used. You can put something aside for a rainy day, for example. Here are some other examples of using ‘rainy day’ without ‘save:’
- “I’m going to need this for a rainy day.”
- “I was able to plan for a rainy day. I have plenty of savings.”
Origin of Save for a Rainy Day
The phrase dates back to at least the early 1500s in England. One of its earliest printed appearances is in John Heywood’s 1546 proverb collection: “Lay up against a rainy day.”
Variations
- Keep for a rainy day
- Put aside for a rainy day
- Keep for a rainy day
- Lay up for a rainy day
Video Presentation
Sentence Examples
“My father sent me some money for my birthday. I think I’ll save it for a rainy day.”
“My brother gave me a super expensive bottle of whiskey. It’s very nice! I’m tempted to open it but I think I’ll save it for a rainy day.”
“My aunt needs surgery and her insurance is not covering all of the cost. Luckily, she has some money saved for a rainy day.”
“Dad, Uncle Davie gave me 100 dollars for Christmas!” said Jackie. “You really should save that for a rainy day,” said Dad. “Ah, c’mon Dad, it’s a Christmas gift!”