etwas auf die hohe Kante legen

to put money aside; to save up for later

Origin

The origin is uncertain; it probably refers to a money hiding place on a 'high edge' - such as a secret compartment in the bed canopy of wealthy people, or a high compartment in old chests where savings were kept.

Source

Building blocks

Words in this expression

bisschen· a little etwas· something das Geld· money die Kante· edge legen· to lay der Monat· month der Notfall· emergency

Grammar that uses this word

Indefinite pronoun 'etwas' (something)Indefinitpronomen 'etwas'
Indefinite pronoun 'jemand' (someone)Indefinitpronomen 'jemand'
Indefinite pronoun 'niemand' (no one)Indefinitpronomen 'niemand'
Conjunctional adverb 'trotzdem' (nevertheless)Konjunktionaladverb 'trotzdem'

Examples

Jeden legt sie ein auf die hohe für den .
Every month she puts a little money aside for emergencies.