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

[CurlewKate]

..would your friendship circle knew what you meant?

no. as I have heard it used, it definitely means you will pay for everyone.

Hardly "common" when large numbers of posters have never heard of it !
Where are you from ?

No, never heard that one.

I could equally say it’s hardly uncommon when half the poster have heard of it.
Im from the NW where are you from?

By the same argument though lots of people from across the UK and in other countries have heard of it so it's hardly uncommon?

I’m in Scotland and I’ve heard it before. You’re offering to pay for a takeaway.

I wouldn’t. I’d say “pay”. wtf is “spring”?

I think it may be an American term, or jive talk, or gangster rap, or maybe something the Teddy Boys said, or Spivs or flappers. Clearly I just don't know.

I've not heard it phrased exactly like that but I'd assume you are buying me a chinese.

I'm in Scotland. I've never heard it. If someone said it I'd ask what they meant.

If I were offering to pay for everyone I'd say "it's on me"

I know what it means - probably through film/TV - but I’ve never heard anyone say it. It means you pay for everyone.

I have definitely heard of it and have used it, it does mean you are happy ‘to pay for’ a takeaway but that could mean your own share or the whole lot, you would have to clarify.

The date of the origin makes no difference at all! It makes absolute sense to me that if it is commonly used on SM, someone who doesn’t use SM has missed that opportunity of seeing/hearing it.

Very common. I hear it lots

I have never heard this phrase. I'm in my 60s, for context.

that you’re happy to pop out asap to get the food quickly

I've heard it, my dad and my brother both have said it. I don't this it's particular a common expression though.

SE. Not in use in my circles.

Never heard of it

"Spring for" means to splurge and treat everyone. You're offering to pay for a takeaway rather than someone have to cook.

It's spontaneous indulgence. When I took DD to a concert I would spring for some merch as well.

I can take a guess what it means but I've never heard of it before this thread

I don't know about my friends but I would think (incorrectly) that it meant the person was happy to get a takeaway

Whereabouts are you if you're hearing it a lot?

Sorry, what sounds complicated?

I would understand this as you were paying (we would have to do the let me pay some no it's on me dance)