to the side

IPA/tə ðə sˈaɪd/
IPA/tə ðə sˈaɪd/

to the side — 慣用語

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

1.慣用語A2
釋義

偏向一旁

偏離中央或正面，移往側邊

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

例句

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

Aoi 把花瓶移到一旁，好讓檯燈能放在架子中央。

verb + object + to the side (physical repositioning)

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

畫家側身站到一旁，好讓 David 從更好的角度觀看完成的壁畫。

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

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞

文法句型

verb + noun phrase + to the side

verb + to the side

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.慣用語A2
釋義

避到一旁

離開人群，到隱密或不妨礙他人的位置

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

例句

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

Nora 把同事拉到一旁，告訴他臨時更動的行程。

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

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

老師把學生帶到一旁，輕聲問他最近家裡是否一切安好。

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

同義詞
  • 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'

反義詞
  • into the crowd

    opposite direction — into rather than away from people

文法句型

verb + noun phrase + to the side

verb + to the side

用法筆記

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.慣用語B1
釋義

擱置暫緩

暫時不處理或暫緩使用，日後再議

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

例句

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

Minh 把吉他練習擱到一旁，先為數學考試用功讀書。

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.

經理把預算討論推到一旁，留到下週的會議再議。

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

同義詞
  • 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

反義詞

文法句型

verb + noun phrase + to the side

put + noun phrase + to the side

用法筆記

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'.

常見錯誤

❌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.