put

put [ put ] (past tense and past participle put) verb transitive ***

▸ 1 move something to position

▸ 2 cause to be in situation

▸ 3 write/print something

▸ 4 make someone go to place

▸ 5 give position on list

▸ 6 build/place somewhere

▸ 7 express in particular way

▸ 8 state something

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) put something in/on/through/etc. something to move something to a particular position, especially using your hands:

She put her hand on Cliff's arm.

Did I put my wallet in your purse?

Where did you put the newspaper?

a ) put something into/out/over etc. something to kick or hit something into a particular position:

Jones put the puck into the net after only 2 minutes of play.

2. ) to cause someone or something to be in a particular situation or state:

Esposito's goal put the Bruins ahead.

put someone in a difficult/awkward/embarrassing position: I wish you hadn't told me it puts me in a really difficult position.

put someone/something at risk/in jeopardy/in danger: Several jobs have been put in jeopardy as a result of the merger.

put someone in charge/control/command (of someone/something): She was put in charge of the marketing department.

put someone under pressure/stress (=make someone feel worried and unable to relax): I hate being put under so much pressure.

put someone to work: He was put to work filing all the papers.

put someone out of business/out of work/out of a job (=make them lose their job or business): Supermarkets have put many smaller stores out of business.

put someone in a good/bad mood (=make someone feel happy/annoyed): That argument put me in a bad mood for the rest of the day.

put something into practice/effect/action/operation etc. (=make it start working): There has been a lot of criticism of the way the proposals were put into effect.

put someone at a disadvantage: The law puts farmers in this country at a disadvantage.

a ) put yourself in someone's place/position to imagine what someone else's situation is like:

Put yourself in my place. How would you feel if someone took your job?

3. ) to write or print something:

Put a check mark by the correct answer.

I'll put a note at the bottom of the card.

I'll put it in my diary.

You've put the comma in the wrong place.

a ) put something in writing to write something in order to make it official

b ) put your name/signature to something to write your name at the bottom of a document or letter to show that you wrote it or agree with it

4. ) put someone in/on/to something to make someone go to a place:

We've had to put my mother in a nursing home.

If we put the kids in one room, Jean can sleep in Adam's room.

The government has promised to put more police officers on the street.

What time do you put the kids to bed?

a ) put someone on a train/plane/bus etc. to make sure someone gets on a train/plane/bus etc.

5. ) put someone/something among/as/in something to give someone or something a particular position on a list arranged according to importance, quality, or value:

They're so different, you can't even put them in the same category.

I'd put Monet among the best artists of the century.

a ) put someone/something before/over/above to consider someone or something as being more important than someone or something else:

The company had been accused of putting profits before safety.

b ) put someone/something first to consider someone or something as the most important person or thing:

You know I always put my family first.

6. ) put something in/on etc. something to build or place something somewhere:

There are plans to put ten new houses on the site.

We decided to put the office upstairs.

7. ) to say or write something in a particular way:

put something well/succinctly/cleverly: She put it very well when she described him as brilliant but lazy.

a ) as someone puts it used for giving the exact words that someone uses:

As John put it, Life would be nice if we didn't have to work.

b ) how shall I put it?/let me put it this way SPOKEN used when you are going to say something that is honest but may sound rude:

Let me put it this way, he's rich, but he's certainly not attractive.

c ) I couldn't have put it better myself SPOKEN used for saying that someone has expressed something very well

d ) put something into words to explain a feeling that you are having:

It's difficult to put into words how I feel about what happened.

e ) put simply/simply put used for saying that you are just giving the basic facts about a complicated situation:

Put simply, it was an offer we couldn't refuse.

f ) to put it another way used when you are going to explain something in a different way in order to make it easier to understand

g ) to put it bluntly used for telling someone that you are going to be honest even if this upsets them:

To put it bluntly, their demands are unreasonable.

h ) to put it in a nutshell used when you are going to explain a long or complicated idea, story, etc. in a quick and simple way

i ) to put it mildly used for saying that a situation is much worse than the words you are using to talk about it:

Jack wasn't very happy, to put it mildly.

8. ) to state or explain something:

You will get plenty of opportunity to put your point of view.

not put it past someone (to do something)

used for saying that you think someone is capable of doing something bad or dishonest:

Do you think Jake took the money? I wouldn't put it past him.

put something behind you

to forget something unpleasant that has happened to you or stop being affected by it:

I was upset at the time, but I've managed to put it behind me.

put it there SPOKEN

used for telling someone to put their hand in your hand as a greeting, or because you have just made an agreement

put a price/value etc. on something

to make a judgment about the price or amount of something:

It's a rare piece of jewelry, but I wouldn't like to put a value on it.

put a stop/end to something

to make something stop happening, especially something bad or unpleasant:

You ought to put a stop to that sort of behavior.

put someone straight/right (on/about something)

to explain the real facts about a situation to someone who does not understand it correctly:

I think I ought to put you straight John is just my business partner.

=> BACK 3, STAY1

,put a`bout phrasal verb intransitive or transitive

if a ship puts about, or if you put it about, it turns and sails in the opposite direction

,put a`cross or ,put `over phrasal verb transitive

to explain an idea, belief, etc. in a way that is easy to understand:

Television can be a useful way of putting across health messages.

put yourself across

to express your ideas clearly and effectively so that people can see what you are really like:

Emily puts herself across very well.

,put a`side phrasal verb transitive

1. ) put aside or put by to save an amount of money so that you can buy or pay for something in the future:

Each month she puts some money aside for her retirement.

2. ) to keep something so it can be used or taken away later:

The store offered to put the dress aside while I went to the bank.

3. ) to not allow yourself to be affected by a problem, argument, etc. so that you can achieve something more important:

Laura put aside her concerns and went ahead with the job.

put aside your differences (=not be affected by the fact that you disagree about some things): Both sides need to put aside their differences and continue the peace talks.

4. ) to keep a period of time free so that you can use it for a particular purpose:

I put aside a day at the end of each month for paying my bills.

`put at phrasal verb transitive

put something at something to calculate the cost, amount, size, etc. of something:

The cost of repairing the damage was put at $100,000.

,put a`way phrasal verb transitive

1. ) to put something in the place where you usually keep it when you are not using it:

He put the notebook away and stood up.

2. ) INFORMAL to eat or drink a lot of something:

They put away vast quantities of hot dogs between them.

3. ) INFORMAL to put someone in a prison or a mental hospital:

He ought to be put away for a very long time.

4. ) to save an amount of money:

Try and put away a little each month.

5. ) AMERICAN VERY INFORMAL to kill someone

6. ) INFORMAL to score a goal by kicking or hitting the ball into the net:

The fourth goal was put away by Hamm.

,put `back phrasal verb transitive

1. ) to put something in the place where it was before it was moved:

Can you put the book back when you're finished with it?

2. ) to change the time of a clock or watch to an earlier time

3. ) to change the time or date of an event so that it happens later than originally planned:

We've put the trip back until June now.

a ) to make something happen later than it should happen:

The fire has put back the opening of the theater by several months.

`put be,fore phrasal verb transitive

put something before someone to formally offer an idea or proposal to someone for them to consider or accept:

A new trade bill is expected to be put before Congress next month.

put by phrasal verb transitive

same as PUT ASIDE 1:

I try to put a little by each month for bills.

,put` down phrasal verb

1. ) transitive to put someone or something onto a surface, especially the floor:

Emma put her bag down and went upstairs.

2. ) transitive to pay part of the cost of something and agree to pay the rest later:

We've put down a deposit on the apartment.

3. ) transitive to criticize someone, especially when other people are present, in a way that makes them feel stupid:

He's always trying to put me down.

a ) put yourself down to criticize yourself so that people think that you are less good, intelligent, etc. than you really are

4. ) transitive to write something on a piece of paper:

I put my name down on the list.

Can you put your phone number down in the book?

a ) transitive to write someone's name on a list, especially so that they can take part in something:

put someone down to do something: I've put you down to help with the food.

5. ) transitive put someone down to put a baby in a bed so that it can go to sleep:

I put Claire down for a couple of hours this afternoon.

6. ) transitive to kill an animal using a drug because it is very old, ill, or dangerous:

have something put down: We're probably going to have the cat put down next week.

7. ) intransitive or transitive if an aircraft puts down or if someone puts it down, it lands

8. ) transitive to use force to stop a protest or an attempt by people to take power away from a government or leader:

He used tanks to put down an armed uprising last June.

can't put something down

used for saying that you think a book is so interesting or exciting that you cannot stop reading it

put the phone down

1. ) to put the telephone RECEIVER back onto its base after you have finished talking to someone

2. ) put the phone down on someone to end a telephone conversation with someone before they have finished speaking

,put `down as phrasal verb transitive

put someone down as something to think that someone is a particular type of person:

I'm surprised she was nervous: I'd always put her down as being very confident.

,put `down for phrasal verb transitive put someone down for something

1. ) to write on a list that someone agrees to give or take something:

I'll put you down for $20 then.

Can you put me down for one of the puppies?

2. ) to write someone's name on a list so that they can take part in an activity or become a member of an institution or organization:

I've put my name down for the trip to Atlantic City.

`put ,down to phrasal verb transitive

put something down to something if you put something down to a particular reason, you think it has happened for that reason:

I put his irritability down to tiredness.

put something down to experience

to decide not to be affected by an unpleasant experience, but to accept that such things happen and cannot be avoided

,put `forth phrasal verb transitive

1. ) FORMAL to state or suggest an idea, opinion, plan ,etc.:

The administration has put forth a modest plan to streamline the Education Department.

2. ) LITERARY if a plant or tree puts forth leaves, roots, etc. it starts to grow

,put `forward phrasal verb transitive

1. ) to suggest something or offer an idea, opinion, reason, etc., especially so that people can discuss it and make a decision:

He rejected all the proposals put forward by the committee.

a ) to officially suggest that someone should be considered for a particular job or position:

put someone forward as/for something: Your name was put forward as a possible team leader.

2. ) to change the time or date of an event so that it happens earlier than originally planned:

The meeting has been put forward to Monday.

3. ) to change the time of a clock or watch to a later time

,put `in phrasal verb

1. ) transitive to spend a particular amount of time doing something, or make a particular amount of effort in order to do something:

Wendy has been putting in more hours at the office recently.

They must have put in a lot of work to achieve such an interesting exhibition.

2. ) transitive to fix something such as equipment in the place where it will be used and make it ready to use:

We're having a burglar alarm put in.

They're coming to put the new kitchen in next week.

3. ) transitive to make an official request, claim, offer, etc.:

He put in a bid of $1 million for the company.

Why don't you put in a claim for the damage?

4. ) transitive to invest money in a business or an account:

To start up the business, they each put in $50,000.

5. ) transitive to elect a politician to a legislature or a political party to govern a country:

The senator had been put in with a large majority.

a ) to choose someone for a job or position, especially an important one:

They put in a new manager to try to improve sales.

6. ) transitive put something in someone/something to give something such as your trust or responsibility for your safety to someone or something:

You have to put your faith in the pilot when you're flying.

You do realize you're putting your life in his hands?

They had put all their hopes in him.

7. ) intransitive if a ship puts in, it stops at a port

8. ) transitive to say something that interrupts someone who is speaking:

Why don't you ask them? he suddenly put in.

=> APPEARANCE

,put `in for phrasal verb transitive

put in for something to officially ask for something:

We've put in for a grant to repair the building.

,put `into phrasal verb transitive

1. ) put something into something to spend a particular amount of time doing something or make a particular amount of effort in order to do something:

I put a lot of work into the speech.

2. ) put something into something to invest money in something:

How much are you prepared to put into the business?

3. ) put someone into something to choose someone for a job or position, especially an important one:

John had been put into a job that in fact he was born to do.

4. ) put something into something to improve something by adding a particular quality to it:

I want to put some excitement back into my life.

Try and put some enthusiasm into your work.

5. ) put into something if a ship puts into a port, it stops there

,put `off phrasal verb transitive

1. ) to delay doing something, especially because you do not want to do it:

I was trying to put off the moment when I would have to leave.

You can't put the decision off any longer.

put off doing something: He was glad to have an excuse to put off telling her the news.

2. ) to change the time or date of something so that it happens later than originally planned, especially because of a problem:

They had to put the wedding off because the bride's mother had an accident.

put off doing something: I'll put off going to Quebec until you're well enough to take care of yourself again.

3. ) to tell someone that you cannot see them or do something until a later time:

We'll have to put George off if your mother's coming on Thursday.

4. ) to prevent someone from concentrating on something so that they have difficulty doing it

a ) put someone off their stride/stroke to stop someone from thinking clearly:

He was determined not to be put off his stroke by her presence.

5. ) to stop a car, bus, etc. and let someone get out of it:

I'll put you off by the bus stop.

6. ) to make someone not want to do something, or make someone not like someone or something:

Lack of parking space was putting potential customers off.

Robert's attitude toward women really puts me off.

,put `on phrasal verb transitive

1. ) to cover a part of your body with a piece of clothing or jewelry so that you are wearing it:

Dorothy put on her coat and went out.

Kim had forgotten to put his watch on.

a ) to spread a cream, liquid, powder, or other substance on your skin or hair in order to make it softer, healthier, or more attractive:

Melanie was putting on her makeup in front of the mirror.

2. ) put something on someone/something to cause something to affect someone or something:

I feel that too much responsibility is put on teachers.

Advertising aimed at children puts a lot of pressure on parents.

3. ) if you put on weight, you become fatter:

She put a lot of weight on after the children were born.

I've put on five pounds in the last month.

4. ) put something on someone/something to risk a particular amount of money by trying to guess the result of a race or competition:

I put $2 on Seattle Slew to win the Derby.

5. ) to pretend to have a particular feeling or a particular way of speaking or behaving:

put on an act: I think he was just putting on an act to get sympathy.

be putting it on: She's not really upset she's just putting it on.

6. ) to pass the telephone to someone so they can speak to the person you have been talking to:

Wait a minute, Mom - I'll put Joe on.

7. ) to start cooking something:

I'll put the vegetables on in a minute.

8. ) to organize an event, show, performance, etc.:

We're putting on a concert to raise money for cancer research.

9. ) to provide a bus, train, etc. for people to use:

They're going to put on extra buses to take fans to the concert.

10. ) to make a machine or piece of equipment start working, especially by pressing a switch:

I had forgotten to put the emergency brake on, so the car rolled back down the hill.

1

a ) to put a video, CD, etc. in a piece of equipment so that you can watch it or listen to it:

I'm going to put my new CD on.

Shall we put some music on?

11. ) put someone on something to say what medical treatment someone should have:

I was put on a low-fat diet.

The doctor put him on a course of antibiotics.

12. ) to show a particular level of skill or ability in doing something, especially in a competition:

The Packers' offense put on a dazzling performance throughout the second half of the game.

13. ) put someone on something to make someone responsible for dealing with something:

I was put on cleanup.

14. ) put something on something to record something in an account so that someone can pay for it later:

Can you put the drinks on my bill, please?

We put the meal on our expense accounts.

15. ) put someone on INFORMAL to try to make someone believe something that is not true:

Don't believe that! He's putting you on!

16. ) put something on something BRITISH to add an amount of money to the cost or value of something

,put `onto phrasal verb transitive

put someone onto someone/something to tell someone about someone or something that they want or need:

Jan put me onto a great hairdresser.

,put `out phrasal verb

1. ) transitive to make something stop burning:

It took firefighters three hours to put out the blaze.

Please put that cigarette out.

a ) to switch off a light:

Hannah put the light out and went to sleep.

2. ) transitive to put something in a place where someone will see it, so that they can use it or have it:

I put out food for the birds in cold weather.

3. ) transitive to place something outside your house:

We usually put the cat out at night.

a ) put the garbage/trash out to put waste outside your house so that it can be collected and taken away

b ) put the laundry/wash out to hang clothes outside to dry after you have washed them

4. ) transitive usually in negatives or questions put someone out to cause problems or difficulties for someone by making them do something for you:

It would be great to stay with you, but I don't want to put you out.

a ) put yourself out (for someone) to do something to help someone even if it causes problems or difficulties for you:

I don't see why I should put myself out for him.

put yourself out to do something: She really put herself out to get everything ready for us.

5. ) transitive put someone out to make someone unconscious by giving them a drug, usually before a medical operation

6. ) transitive to produce information for people to read, watch, or hear:

The police has put out a warning about an escaped prisoner.

The band put out a statement denying rumors of a split.

a ) to broadcast a program on television or radio:

Most of the stuff they put out isn't worth watching.

b ) to publish a book, magazine, or newspaper, or produce a video or CD for sale:

a company that has put out several new titles this year

7. ) intransitive IMPOLITE if you put out, you agree to have sex with someone

8. ) transitive put someone out to defeat a player or team in a game or competition so that they can no longer take part in it:

He was put out in the first round at Wimbledon.

9. ) intransitive if a ship puts out, it sails away from a port

10. ) transitive to affect numbers or calculations in a way that makes them incorrect

put your back/shoulder etc. out

to injure your back/shoulder etc. by moving a bone out of its position in a JOINT

put your hand/arm/foot out

to move your hand/arm/foot forward from your body:

She put her hand out to stop herself from falling.

put the word out INFORMAL

to tell people about something:

Can you put the word out that the meeting has been cancelled.

=> PUT OUT

,put `over phrasal verb transitive

same as PUT ACROSS:

I don't think I put my point over very clearly.

put one over on someone INFORMAL

to trick someone into believing something that is not true

,put `through phrasal verb transitive

1. ) put someone through something to make someone do or experience something difficult or unpleasant:

Children shouldn't be put through the ordeal of giving evidence in court.

The players are put through a daily exercise program.

put someone through hell (=make someone have an extremely unpleasant experience): He's put me through absolute hell during the last year.

put someone through it (=make someone experience something unpleasant): He really put Jones through it when the reports were late.

2. ) put someone/something through something to test someone or something in order to make sure everything is working correctly:

He was put through a series of tests to discover what was wrong with him.

The drug has been put through several trials.

3. ) to make it certain that something is accepted, approved, or successfully completed:

Their huge majority means they can put through virtually any legislation they want.

put something through something: A string of similar measures had already been put through the city council.

4. ) if you put a person or call through, you connect someone to the person they want to speak to on the telephone:

The switchboard operator refused to put the call through.

put someone/something through to someone: Can you put me through to the accounting department, please?

put someone through school/college

to pay for someone to be a student at a school/college

`put to phrasal verb transitive put something to someone

1. ) to explain a plan or suggestion to a group of people so they can discuss it and decide whether to accept it or not:

I put the resolution to the meeting.

put it to someone that: I put it to her that their relationship may not have been as good as she thought.

2. ) to ask someone a question:

The questions they put to me were quite difficult to answer.

put someone to trouble/bother/inconvenience

to cause problems or difficulties for someone by making them do something for you:

You don't have to give me a ride. I don't want to put you to any trouble.

put something to the vote

to ask people to vote on a proposal:

Despite pressure, the chairperson refused to put the issue to the vote.

,put to`gether phrasal verb transitive

1. ) to make something by joining all its parts:

Will you help me put this desk together?

2. ) to produce or organize something using many different things:

Initially, they simply put together a series of guidelines.

The exhibition has been put together by a group of young artists.

a ) to choose people or things to form a team or group:

A team of experts has been put together to examine the effects of global warming.

than someone/something put together

used for saying that someone or something is better or bigger than the whole of a group of other people or things:

He knows more about computers than the rest of them put together.

,put `under phrasal verb transitive

put someone under to make someone unconscious before a medical operation by giving them a drug

,put `up phrasal verb

1. ) transitive to build something such as a wall, fence, or house:

Grants were available to help with the cost of putting up new school buildings.

John was in the yard putting a fence up.

2. ) transitive to fix a picture or notice onto an upright structure such as a wall:

She put up a notice about the school trip to Italy.

I put a few posters up to make the room look less bare.

a ) to fix a shelf or cupboard onto a wall:

She put up some bookshelves in the study.

3. ) transitive to provide a large amount of money for something:

The family has put up $15,000 toward the cost of the child's medical treatment.

4. ) transitive to let someone stay in your house:

Could you put me up for the night when I come to Miami?

a ) intransitive OLD-FASHIONED to stay for a short time in a place that is not your home:

put up at/in: We put up at a cheap hotel.

5. ) transitive to raise something, especially so that it is ready to use:

I was soaked before I could put my umbrella up.

Put your hood up or you'll catch cold.

6. ) transitive to suggest that someone should be elected to a particular position:

In all, 60 political parties put up candidates.

7. ) transitive to increase the value or price of something:

Several of the banks have decided to put up their interest rates.

8. ) transitive put up something BRITISH same as PUT FORWARD 1:

It was Clare who first put up the idea of a concert to raise money for the school.

9. ) transitive put up something to make a particular effort in order to achieve or prevent something:

The victim was able to put up little resistance.

Menzies' lawyer put up a spirited defense of his client.

Residents have put up a fight against plans to build a new road.

10. ) same as PUT ON 12

put your hand up/put up your hand

to raise your arm to show that you want to ask or answer a question, or so that someone can count you

put up or shut up INFORMAL

used for telling someone that they should either deal with something or stop talking about doing it

,put `up to phrasal verb transitive

put someone up to something to encourage someone to do something stupid or wrong:

One of the older boys must have put him up to it.

,put `up with phrasal verb transitive

put up with someone/something to accept someone or something unpleasant in a patient way:

How has Jan put up with him for so long?

I will not put up with your bad behavior any longer!