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stow

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stow away

to conceal oneself in a vehicle, originally a ship, in order to travel without paying. Don got to this country by stowing away on a cargo ship.

See also: away, stow

stow something away

to pack something away. I have to stow my clothes away before I go to bed. Please stow away your things and get right to work.

See also: away, stow

stow away

1. Put aside or store something until needed, as in We generally stow away the lawn furniture in the toolshed. [Late 1700s]

2. Hide oneself aboard ship or in a vehicle in order to get free transportation, as in The youngsters planned to stow away on a freighter but they never even got to the waterfront . This usage gave rise to the noun stowaway. [Mid-1800s]

2. Greedily consume food or drink, as in Bob sure can stow away a lot in a short time. [Colloquial; mid-1800s]

See also: away, stow

stow away

v.

1. To put something away or store something, especially to keep a place uncluttered or in order: The platoon leader ordered the soldiers to stow away their sleeping bags and secure the campsite. My lawyer has stowed those papers away in a drawer somewhere.

2. To hide aboard a conveyance in order to obtain free transportation: Unable to afford tickets, the youths stowed away on a tanker.

3. To consume some food or drink greedily: For someone so tiny, you certainly stow away a lot of food! You must have liked that pork; you certainly stowed it away.

See also: away, stow

Stow it!

exclam. Shut up! Stow it! That is enough of your applesauce.

See also: stow