"Save room" is often used when eating, suggesting that one should not eat too much of one thing to have enough appetite or space left to enjoy something else, typically dessert. For instance, during a meal, someone might advise, "Save room for dessert," meaning that you should not fill up completely on the main course to enjoy a sweet treat at the end. This phrase can be applied metaphorically in other contexts to mean reserving or sparing capacity, time, or resources for something else that is coming up.
In short:
"Save room" generally refers to conserving or managing one's appetite during a meal to ensure there is still space left for subsequent courses, like dessert. It's practical advice often given in a dining context to remind someone not to overindulge in one part of a meal so they can fully enjoy all parts of it. Metaphorically, it can extend to other areas of life, implying the need to reserve or allocate resources, such as time, energy, or money, for future needs or activities.
More about the phrase's meaning:
The phrase "save room" likely originated from the common dining experience of having multiple courses in a meal, where it's advisable to manage one's appetite to enjoy each course fully. The concept of saving something for later use is a basic principle in resource management, whether the resource is food, time, or something else. The literal idea of saving physical space in one's stomach for more food translates well into other areas where reservation and foresight are required.
Here are some examples showing how "save room" can be used in various contexts:
Managing space or resources is often referenced in movies, TV shows, and literature, particularly in scenes involving meals or planning.
Some examples include:
Here are some alternative phrases with similar meanings:
"Save room" typically means to manage one's consumption or usage of something to allow space or capacity for something else later.
No, while often used in the context of eating, it can also apply to other areas where resource management is important.
Yes, it can be used to suggest reserving time or space for particular activities during an event.
"Remember to save room in your suitcase for any gifts you might buy."
It's a fairly informal phrase and is commonly used in casual conversation.
Yes, it often carries a sense of looking forward to something else that is coming.
Absolutely, it can refer to setting aside budget space for future expenses.
Yes, it's a common and widely understood phrase in many English-speaking cultures.
Yes, it can be used to suggest keeping a portion of one's schedule open for future tasks or
activities.
Not necessarily, but it often implies a positive or enjoyable thing that is worth making space for.
The idiom "save room" encourages moderating present consumption or use to accommodate future pleasures or requirements. It serves as a useful tip in concrete and figurative situations, advising a balance between enjoying the moment and preparing for what lies ahead.
To recap: