If you said that you were “happy to spring for a takeaway”..

[CurlewKate]

..would your friendship circle knew what you meant?

Never heard of that one before.

Yeah, that you're paying for whoever is involved.
I'm surprised people haven't heard the expression before! It's fairly common, as far as I know. You definitely hear it on the TV. Although me and my wife often have discussions about things like this. I'm convinced that some people hear or read something they don't know the meaning of and their brain just doesn't register it or save it and they don't bother to look it up.

No clue what you're talking about

If I read something I don't understand I usually look it up, but don't necessarily bother if it's clear in context.
On TV I might not notice anyway as it would be past in a second.

Id have thought that was 'im up for paying for my part of a takeaway' but clearly I'm wrong!

I remember first hearing the expression in one of the Aussie soaps, so likely comes from Australia

I'm surprised so many people are saying they haven't heard it!

it's not a phrase I use, (I'd say 'my shout' if I was going to say anything other than 'I'll pay')

but I did live in NZ for many years. My circle in England, I don't know, most would guess I think, but I'd generally make it more obvious I was happy to pay.

Yeah, not really. Common where you come from, but not common, no.

It's not in common useage. Not all over the UK. I have literally never heard anyone say this. Ever. In nearly 60 years. And I have lived in several different parts of the UK. (South, North, and Midlands.)

Why do people assume that just because THEY say a certain thing that it is 'commonly used?' Weird!

I'm surprised some people are saying they HAVE heard it.

So there ya go.

It sounds daft doesn't it? 'I will spring a takeaway!' WTAF? 😂

You think spring for a takeaway sounds daft, but the same could be said about someone who writes WTAF. 🤷‍♀️

I generally do notice new or unusual phrases - say them out loud in the character's voice afterwards. But this one has completely passed me by. I can "hear" it said by an Aussie though. Or even a F Scott Fitzgerald or Evelyn Waugh type character (not about a takeaway though 😄).

It’s normally used about things which are a bit more extravagant. Like, “I’ll spring for first class.”
It’s about something that’s a bit of a “jump.”

Getting tickets for the rugby, and saying “Let’s spring for hospitality.” Something like that.

But can be a tongue in cheek way of saying you’ll treat for something more mundane, like springing for the coffees.

South East England and never heard of it

I’m SE Uk, spent 15 years in London, some other years living anbroad too and it’s definitely a phrase I know. And have used.

maybe it’s an age thing? A travelled thing? I don’t think being “well read” means you’ll have heard of it, it’s a wide experience of life/cultures that’s more likely to mean you’ve come across it.

Neither have I

My beloved OH is well travelled, well educated and grew up in London but he’s never heard of it.

he’s posher than I am, he reckons it’s a down market thing 😂😂 - he’s probably right.

I reckon you’re right. So many people aren’t that interested in language and don’t pay attention to new expressions

Never heard it. In my 40s have moved around and well educated / well read.

He said "down market"?

He sounds delightful.

Perhaps it depends on what you watch or read? I am very interested in language, always look up anything I don’t understand and have never come across that expression before.

It's often used in Ireland.

I'm sure I've read it in American novels and heard it said in American films.

I think it's quite an old fashioned expression? 1950s/2960s films?

I’d have no idea what you meant.