toward

getting on toward

almost at a particular time. School had started and it was getting on toward Thanksgiving.

Usage notes: sometimes used without toward or for: It was getting on 8:00 a.m.

go a long way toward something

to be very helpful in achieving something. The fire insurance went a long way toward repairing all the damage. The extra money will go a long way to buying a house.

See also: long, way

put something toward something

to give money to pay for part of the cost of something. A local businessman has put $180,000 toward the creation of a model organic farm in upstate New York. Please put my deposit toward my hotel bill.

set aside something