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

[CurlewKate]

..would your friendship circle knew what you meant?

Never heard of it. SW England/South Wales.

No, I love picking up new turns of phrase - I'll shamelessly adopt any useful sayings and dialect words so listen out for then. I've never heard this though, and I'm pretty sure it's not because of underexposure to reading material or life experiences, or a lack of interest in language. It's just passed me by, but now I know some people use it.

Yes, I know this one well. I feel it's a bit dated, rings a bit Y2K in my ears - I can't remember the last time I said or heard it, but I might start using it again now I am reminded.

Never heard of it.

Never heard it. I would have assumed you were the one going out to collect it

Wow. Your simple question has brought out all the rude snobs OP.

Any one who says it is a "wally" because that poster has never heard it.
Someone's snooty husband thinks it's "down market"
If you've never heard of it you are "poorly read"

Maybe it's better to be a poorly read, down market wally than an insufferable snob with a superiority complex.

Never heard of the expression. If it's one person who would pay for everyone then we'd say it's my treat.

Never heard it. I wouldn't be sure if it meant you were paying or you just fancied a takeaway

I'm surprised people haven't heard the expression before!

Why would we if we're not somewhere where it is used & don't watch Australian soaps?

I have heard the phrase and would understand it to mean that you would be treating everyone but i would probably double-check because i don’t think it’s really a British English expression.

Never heard anyone say that before but at a guess I would imagine it means I’m happy to pay for a takeaway. But not necessarily that I’d pay for the entire group just my own.

Everyone in my circle would know what it meant. Maybe it’s a regional thing

Yes, maybe it is.

I'm Welsh and I knew what it meant.

Never heard of it so I would assume it was a Northern thing. Given Northerners are pretty tight I'd assume it means that would go and collect it and we all pay.

I’m not sure if it’s more common in American English. Lionel Shriver’s characters are always springing for something.

If someone said it I might not be sure if they meant they were treating themselves to a takeaway or getting one for a group.

Well of course - isn't it a pretty common phrase?

However, none of us would let the other pay for the entire group.

OED says “(spring for) [no object] North American English informal: pay for eg don't spring for the album until you've heard it”

Never heard of it and would have to ask what you meant
Is it regional?

Never heard this in my life and I’m 45 🤣🤣

It’s commonly used and well understood in Scotland

Well according to some on this thread apparently not. I'm not sure how common a phrase needs to be for some to consider it common. This one seems fairly common across much of the UK, Australia and America so I wouldn't consider it uncommon or regional.

Northerners are pretty tight? Er no. My family would give you the shirt off their back if you needed it. How rude.

No idea what that means

I'm Northern and have heard of it - to me "I'll spring for a takeaway" sounds like you're offering to pay for it.