to the side

IPA/tə ðə sˈaɪd/
IPA/tə ðə sˈaɪd/

to the side — idiom

1. positioned or moving in a direction away from the centre, front, or main line of

1.idiomA2
Definition

positioned or moving in a direction away from the centre, front, or main line of something, rather than directly in front or in the middle

Example

Aoi moved the vase to the side so the lamp could sit in the middle.

verb + object + to the side (physical repositioning)

The painter stepped to the side so David could see the finished mural.

verb + to the side (moving one's own body)

Common collocations
  • move to the side
  • step to the side
  • push to the side
  • pull to the side
  • park to the side
  • to the side of
Synonyms
  • aside

    more common for both physical and figurative uses; 'to the side' emphasises a sideways direction more than 'aside' does

  • out of the way

    more informal and implies clearing a path or removing an obstacle

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

verb + noun phrase + to the side

verb + to the side

Usage Note

This sense describes literal, physical placement or movement. The object moved can be a body, an item, or a vehicle. Often followed by 'of + noun' to specify the reference point.

Common Mistakes

He pushed the idea to the side for now.
He pushed the idea aside for now.
Use sense 3 (time/postponement) when the meaning is not physical but temporal.

2. to a spot apart from a group, typically to speak in private, avoid a busy area,

2.idiomA2
Definition

to a spot apart from a group, typically to speak in private, avoid a busy area, or stay out of the flow of activity

Example

Nora pulled her colleague to the side to tell him about the schedule change.

pull + person + to the side (for private conversation)

The teacher drew the student to the side and asked if things were okay at home.

draw + person + to the side (for private talk)

Common collocations
  • pull to the side
  • take to the side
  • draw to the side
  • step to the side
  • lead to the side
Synonyms
  • aside

    interchangeable in most contexts; 'take aside' is more common than 'take to the side' in British English

  • apart

    stronger implication of separation; used mainly in 'take apart' or 'draw apart'

Antonyms
  • into the crowd

    opposite direction — into rather than away from people

Grammar Patterns

verb + noun phrase + to the side

verb + to the side

Usage Note

Frequently used with verbs of taking or leading (pull, take, draw, lead) when the speaker wants a private word with someone. The phrase implies temporary separation from a group.

3. into a situation where a matter, task, or concern is set aside for now so that o

3.idiomB1
Definition

into a situation where a matter, task, or concern is set aside for now so that other things can be handled first or revisited at a later point

Example

Minh put his guitar practice to the side and studied for the math exam.

put + activity + to the side (postpone to focus on something else)

The manager pushed the budget discussion to the side until next week's meeting.

push + topic + to the side (defer to later)

Common collocations
  • put to the side
  • push to the side
  • set to the side
  • lay to the side
  • to the side for now
Synonyms
  • aside

    the most common form for this postponement meaning; 'set aside', 'push aside', 'put aside'

  • on hold

    informal; 'put on hold' is very common in business contexts

  • on the back burner

    informal idiom; suggests an even lower priority

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

verb + noun phrase + to the side

put + noun phrase + to the side

Usage Note

Unlike senses 1 and 2, this sense is always figurative. The thing 'put to the side' is a task, topic, or concern — never a physical object or a person. Common verbs are 'put', 'push', 'set', and 'lay'.

Common Mistakes

She set the book to the side on the table.
She set the book aside on the table.
When the meaning is literal (physical placement), 'aside' is more natural than 'to the side' for temporary positioning.

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The phrase 'to the side' is formed from Old English 'sīde' (the flank or edge of a body or object). The spatial sense (sense 1) dates back to Old English. By the Middle English period (13th–14th centuries), the phrase had developed the social meaning of moving away from a group (sense 2). The figurative postponement sense (sense 3) emerged by the 16th century, as people began using spatial language ('laying aside', 'putting to the side') to describe deferring tasks or concerns.