- put
- putW1S1 [put] v past tense and past participle put present participle putting [T]▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(move to place)¦2¦(change somebody's situation/feelings)¦3¦(write/print something)¦4¦(express)¦5 put a stop/an end to something6 put something into action/effect/practice7¦(ask/suggest)¦8 put something right9 put somebody straight/right10 put something straight11¦(make somebody/something do something)¦12¦(have importance/quality)¦13¦(send somebody somewhere)¦14 put somebody on a train/plane etc15 put paid to something16 I wouldn't put it past somebody (to do something)17 put somebody to trouble/inconvenience18 put it there19¦(throw)¦Phrasal verbsput aboutput something<=>acrossput something<=>asideput something at somethingput somebody/something awayput something backput something behind youput something<=>byput downput somebody down as somethingput somebody down for somethingput something down to somethingput forth somethingput somebody/something<=>forwardput input something into somethingput somebody/something offput somebody/something onput somebody onto somebody/somethingput output something<=>overput throughput something<=>togetherput something towards somethingput somebody underput upput somebody up to somethingput up with somebody/something▬▬▬▬▬▬▬[: Old English; Origin: putian]1.) ¦(MOVE TO PLACE)¦ [always + adverb/preposition]to move something to a particular place or position, especially using your hands= ↑place▪ He put the coffee on the table.▪ Where did you put the programmes?2.) ¦(CHANGE SOMEBODY'S SITUATION/FEELINGS)¦ [always + adverb/preposition]to change someone's situation or the way they feel▪ Don't put yourself into a situation you can't handle.put sb in a good/bad etc mood(=make them feel happy/annoyed etc)▪ The long delay had put us all in a bad mood.▪ I don't want to put you in danger .▪ Pit closures have put thousands of miners out of a job (=made them lose their job) .put sb in control/command/charge etc(=give someone authority over a group, activity, or organization)▪ His boss resigned and Murphy was put in charge.▪ Politics puts me to sleep .▪ A knee injury put him out of action for three months.3.) ¦(WRITE/PRINT SOMETHING)¦to write or print something or to make a mark with a pen or pencilput sth in/on/under etc sth▪ Put your name at the top of each answer sheet.put sth to sth▪ He put his signature to the contract (=he signed it to show he agreed with it) .4.) ¦(EXPRESS)¦ [always + adverb/preposition]to say or write something using words in a particular wayput sth well/cleverly/simply etc▪ The question was well put.▪ So it was an accident, an 'act of God' if you want to put it like that .▪ When women joined the organization, it 'took on a new look,' as news reports put it .▪ It is hard to put into words (=express) how I feel now.▪ He's not very musical, to put it mildly (=he's not musical at all) .▪ We get on each other's nerves, to put it bluntly (=to say exactly what I mean) .▪ It's fairly risky. Or to put it another way (=say it in different words) , don't try this at home.▪ The subject matter makes the painting a little, how shall I put it (=how can I say it politely?) , undesirable for public display.5.) put a stop/an end to sthto stop an activity that is harmful or unacceptable▪ We must put an end to their threats.6.) put sth into action/effect/practiceto start using a plan, idea, knowledge etc▪ James was keen to put some of the things he had learned into practice.7.) ¦(ASK/SUGGEST)¦to ask a question or make a suggestion, especially to get someone's opinion or agreementput a proposition/proposal/case etc to sb▪ He put the proposal to his wife.put sth before sb▪ The budget was put before the board of directors.▪ Can I put a question to you?▪ I put it to you that this proposal has to be considered.8.) put sth rightto make a situation better, especially after someone has made a mistake or behaved badly▪ He has a chance to put things right by admitting a mistake was made.9.) put sb straight/right also set sb straight/rightto tell someone the true facts when they have made a mistake that annoys you▪ A young man was in here asking for 'Miss' Whalby, but I put him right on that one.10.) put sth straightto make something look clean and tidy▪ It took us all weekend to put the garden straight.11.) ¦(MAKE SOMEBODY/SOMETHING DO SOMETHING)¦to make someone or something work or do something, or to use it▪ a scheme to put unemployed people to work on government construction projects▪ If you have a spare room, put it to work for you - take in a lodger.▪ Computer games are being put to use in the classroom.▪ We put 15 rain jackets to the test (=we tested them) .12.) ¦(HAVE IMPORTANCE/QUALITY)¦ [always + adverb/preposition]to consider something as having a particular level of importance or qualityput sb as/among/in etc sth▪ A recent poll put Doctor Martens among the world's top thirty designer labels.put sb/sth before sb/sth▪ Some companies put profit before safety.put sb/sth first/second etc▪ The job's important to him, but he puts his family first.13.) ¦(SEND SOMEBODY SOMEWHERE)¦ [always + adverb/preposition]to arrange for someone to go to a place, or to make them go thereput sb in (sth)▪ The company is putting in new management.▪ Pneumonia put him in the hospital for a week.▪ Put the boys to bed around eight o'clock.14.) put sb on a train/plane etcto take someone to a plane, train etc to start a journey▪ I put her on the plane for London.15.) put paid to sthBrE to spoil and end your hopes or plans completely▪ A car accident put paid to his chances of taking part in the race.16.) I wouldn't put it past sb (to do sth)spoken used to say that you think someone could easily do something wrong or illegal▪ I wouldn't put it past him to use force.17.) put sb to trouble/inconvenienceespecially BrE to make extra work or cause problems for someone18.) put it therespoken used to tell someone to put their hand in yours, either as a greeting or after making an agreement with them▪ $500? OK, it's a deal. Put it there!19.) ¦(THROW)¦to throw a ↑shot (=a heavy metal ball) in a sports competitionput about phr v1.) put sth aboutBrE informal to give other people news or information, especially when it is unpleasant or untrue▪ After he was fired, he put it about that he was fed up with working for such a large company.2.) put (sth) abouttechnical if a ship puts about or if you put it about, it changes direction3.) put yourself aboutBrE informal to have sexual relationships with a lot of different peopleput across [put sth<=>across] phr v1.) to explain your ideas, beliefs etc in a way that people can understand▪ He was trying to put across a serious point.2.) put yourself acrossBrE to explain your ideas and opinions clearly so that people understand them and realize what sort of person you are▪ Sue's never been very good at putting herself across at interviews.3.) to sing, play music, or act in a film or play in a clear, effective way▪ She can really put a song across.put aside [put sth<=>aside] phr v1.) to try to stop thinking about a problem, argument, or disagreement, because you want to achieve something▪ You must put aside your pride and apologise to him.2.) to save money regularly, usually for a particular purpose▪ She put at least £30 a week aside for food.3.) to put down something you are reading or working with, in order to start doing something else▪ He glanced at the note, put it aside and went on with the meeting.4.) to keep a period of time free in order to be able to do something▪ If you're planning a trip to the museum, be sure to put aside at least an hour and a half.put at [put sth at sth] phr vto calculate or guess an amount, number, age etc, without being very exact▪ Her fortune was put at £5.5 million.put away [put sb/sth away] phr v1.) put sth<=>awayto put something in the place where it is usually kept▪ He put his toys away every night.2.) put sth<=>awayto save money▪ We're putting some money away for expenses.3.) put sb away informalto put someone in a prison or in a mental hospital▪ If you are found guilty, the judge is going to put you away for life.4.) put sth<=>away informalto eat or drink a lot▪ It's amazing the amount that child can put away.5.) put sth<=>away informalto score a ↑goal, especially after other failed attempts▪ He seized the opportunity to put the ball away.6.) put sth<=>awayAmE informal to defeat your opponent in a sports competition▪ Two plays later, Smith scored to put the game away.put back [put sth back] phr v1.) put sb/sth<=>backto put people or things in the place or situation they were in before▪ She put the saucepan back on the stove.▪ Our win today put us back into third place in the league.2.) put sth<=>backto arrange for an event to start at a later time or date= ↑postpone put something<=>back to▪ The meeting has been put back to next Thursday.3.) put sth<=>backto delay a process or activity by a number of weeks, months etc▪ This fire could put back the opening date by several weeks.4.) to make someone or something have something that they used to have before▪ The win put a smile back on his face.5.) put a clock/watch backBrE to make a clock or watch show an earlier timeAmerican Equivalent: set backput behind you [put sth behind you] phr vto try to forget about an unpleasant event or experience and think about the future▪ She had dealt with the guilt years ago and put it behind her.put by [put sth<=>by] phr vto save money regularly in order to use it later▪ We're trying to put a little by each month for a new car.put down phr v1.) ¦(PLACE)¦put sth/sb<=>downto put something or someone that you are holding or carrying onto a surface▪ Put those heavy bags down for a minute.2.) ¦(CRITICIZE)¦put sb<=>downto criticize someone and make them feel silly or stupid= ↑belittle▪ I hate the way Dave puts me down the whole time.put yourself down▪ Stop putting yourself down.3.) ¦(WRITE)¦put sth<=>downto write something, especially a name or number, on a piece of paper or on a list= ↑write down▪ Put down your name and address.4.) put down a revolution/revolt/rebellion etcto stop a ↑revolution etc by using force▪ The uprising was put down by the police and the army.5.) ¦(PAY)¦put sth<=>downto pay part of the total cost of something, so that you can pay the rest laterput something<=>down on▪ They put down a deposit on the goods until Christmas.6.) ¦(BABY)¦put sb downto put a baby in its bed▪ We try to put Amy down at six every evening.7.) put the phone downto put the ↑receiver back onto the telephone when you have finished speaking to someone= ↑hang up put the phone down on▪ She put the phone down on me (=suddenly ended the conversation) .8.) ¦(KILL)¦put sth<=>downto kill an animal without causing it pain, usually because it is old or sick= put something to sleep▪ We had to have the dog put down.9.) I couldn't put it downspoken used to say that you found a book, game etc extremely interesting▪ Once I'd started reading it I just couldn't put it down.10.)¦(AIRCRAFT)¦put (sth) downif an aircraft puts down or if a pilot puts it down, it lands, especially because of an ↑emergency▪ The engine failed and the plane put down in the sea.11.) put down a motion/an amendmentto suggest a subject, plan, change in the law etc for a parliament or committee to consider12.) ¦(LEAVE PASSENGER)¦put sb downBrE to stop a vehicle so that passengers can get off at a particular place▪ He asked the taxi to put him down at the end of the road.put down as [put sb down as sth] phr vto guess what someone is like or what they do, without having much information about them▪ I didn't think he was unfriendly. I put him down as shy.put down for [put sb down for sth] phr v1.) to put someone's name on a list so that they can take part in an activity, join an organization etc▪ They put themselves down for a training course.2.) put sb down for £5/£20 etcespecially BrE to write someone's name on a list with an amount of money that they have promised to giveput down to [put sth down to sth] phr v1.) to think that something is caused by something else▪ I was having difficulty reading, which I put down to the poor light.2.) put it down to experienceto try not to feel too upset about failure, especially when you learn something useful from it▪ Everyone gets rejected from time to time; put it down to experience.put forth [put forth sth] phr v1.) to suggest an idea, explanation etc, especially one that other people later consider and discuss= ↑submit▪ Arguments were put forth for changing some of the rules of the game.2.) put forth leaves/shoots/roots etcformal if a tree or bush puts forth leaves etc, it begins to grow themput forward [put sb/sth<=>forward] phr v1.) to suggest a plan, proposal etc, for other people to consider or discuss= ↑propose▪ They put forward a number of suggestions.2.) to suggest formally that you or someone else should be considered for a particular job, membership of an organization etc▪ Her name was put forward for the lead role in the play.3.) to arrange for an event to start at an earlier time or dateput somebody/something<=>forward to▪ The men's final has been put forward to 1:30.4.) put a clock/watch forwardBrE to make a clock or watch show a later timeAmerican Equivalent: set forwardput in phr v1.) put sth<=>into fix a piece of equipment somewhere and connect it so that it is ready to be used= ↑instal▪ We decided to have a new bathroom put in.2.) put sth<=>into spend time or use energy working or practising something▪ Dorothy had put in a lot of hard work during her six years as chairperson.3.) put in sthwritten to interrupt someone in order to say something▪ 'How old are you?' 'Sixteen.' 'I'm sixteen too,' put in Dixie.4.) put sth<=>into ask for something in an official way▪ She put in an insurance claim.▪ We must put in an order by tonight.put in for sth▪ I put in for a pay increase.5.) put your faith/trust/confidence in sb/sthto trust someone or something or believe that they can do something▪ I'm putting my faith in the appeal judges.6.) put in sthto do something in a particular way, especially a performance in a play, film, race etc▪ He put in a brilliant performance in the British Grand Prix.7.) put in an appearanceto go to a social event, meeting etc for a short time▪ There was an hour yet before she needed to put in an appearance at the restaurant.8.) if a ship puts in, it enters a portput into [put sth into sth] phr v1.) to make money available to be used for a particular purpose▪ The government appears to be putting more money into education.2.) to use a lot of energy etc when you are doing an activity▪ Candidates put a lot of time and effort into gaining qualifications.3.) to add a quality to something▪ These simple recipes put more fun into eating.put off [put sb/sth off] phr v1.) put sth<=>offto delay doing something or to arrange to do something at a later time or date, especially because there is a problem or you do not want to do it now= ↑delay, procrastinate ↑procrastinate▪ The match has been put off until tomorrow because of bad weather.put off doing sth▪ I put off going to the doctor but I wish I hadn't.2.) put sb<=>offBrE to make you dislike something or not want to do something▪ Don't let the restaurant's decor put you off - the food is really good.put sb off (doing) sth▪ Don't let your failures put you off trying harder.3.) put sb offto make someone wait because you do not want to meet them, pay them etc until later= ↑stall▪ When he calls, put him off as long as you can.4.) put sb off (sth)BrE to make it difficult for someone to pay attention to what they are doing by talking, making a noise, moving etc▪ It puts me off when you watch me all the time.5.) put sb off (sth)BrE to let someone leave a vehicle at a particular place▪ I'll put you off at the supermarket.put on [put sb/sth on] phr v1.) ¦(CLOTHES)¦put sth<=>onto put a piece of clothing on your body≠ ↑take off▪ He took off his uniform and put on a sweater and trousers.▪ I'll have to put my glasses on; I can't read the sign from here.2.) ¦(ON SKIN)¦put sth<=>onto put ↑make-up, cream etc on your skin▪ I've got to put this cream on twice a day.3.) ¦(AFFECT/INFLUENCE SOMETHING)¦put sth on sthto do something that affects or influences someone or something else▪ The government put a limit on imports of textiles.▪ Pat was putting pressure on him to leave his wife.4.) ¦(START EQUIPMENT)¦put sth<=>onto make a light or a piece of equipment start working by pressing or turning a button or switch= ↑switch on, turn on ↑turn on▪ He got up and put on the light.▪ Shall I put the kettle on?5.) ¦(MUSIC)¦put sth<=>onto put a record, tape, or ↑CD into a machine and start playing it▪ She put on some music while they ate.6.) ¦(PRETEND)¦put sth<=>onto pretend to have a particular feeling, opinion, way of speaking etc especially in order to get attention▪ Sheila's not really that upset; she's just putting it on.▪ Leaving the court, the families all tried to put on a brave face (=not show that they were sad or worried) .7.) put on weight/12 lbs/4 kg etcto become fatter and heavier= ↑gain▪ Rosie's put on five kilos since she quit smoking.8.) ¦(EVENT/CONCERT/PLAY ETC)¦put sth<=>onto arrange for a concert, play etc to take place, or to perform in it▪ One summer the children put on a play.9.) ¦(SHOW WHAT YOU CAN DO)¦put sth<=>onto show what you are able to do or what power you have▪ The team need to put on another world-class performance.10.)¦(COOK)¦put sth<=>onto start cooking something▪ Shall I put the pasta on now?11.) ¦(PROVIDE SOMETHING)¦put sth<=>onBrE to provide a service for people, especially a special one▪ BA is putting on extra flights to cover the Christmas rush.12.) you're putting me on!spoken especially AmE used to tell someone that you think they are joking▪ He wouldn't do that - you're putting me on.13.) ¦(RISK MONEY)¦put sth on sthto risk an amount of money on the result of a game, race etc= ↑bet▪ We put £50 on Brazil to win the Cup.14.) ¦(ADD)¦put sth on sthto add an amount of money or tax onto the cost of something▪ Can smokers really complain if more tax is put on cigarettes?15.) ¦(TELEPHONE)¦put sb<=>onto give someone the telephone so that they can talk to someone who is telephoning▪ Can you put Janet on?put onto / [put sb onto sb/sth] phr vBrE informal to give someone information about something interesting or useful that they did not know about▪ Jo put us onto this fantastic French restaurant.put out phr v1.) ¦(FIRE/CIGARETTE ETC)¦put sth<=>outto make a fire etc stop burning= ↑extinguish▪ The rescue services are still trying to put out the fires.2.) ¦(LIGHT)¦put sth<=>outto make a light stop working by pressing or turning a button or switch= ↑switch off3.) ¦(MAKE AVAILABLE)¦put sth<=>outto put things where people can find and use them▪ The girls helped her to put out the cups and plates.4.) feel/be put outto feel upset or offended▪ We were a little put out at not being invited to the wedding.5.) ¦(MAKE EXTRA WORK)¦put sb outto make extra work or cause problems for someone▪ Mary can't come to dinner tonight. She hopes it won't put you out.6.) put yourself outto make an effort to do something that will help someone▪ They had put themselves out to entertain her during her visit.7.) ¦(TAKE OUTSIDE)¦put sth<=>outto take something outside your house and leave it there▪ Remember to put the cat out before you go to bed.put the rubbish/garbage etc out(=put unwanted things outside your house to be taken away)put the washing out(=put clothes outside to dry)8.) put your tongue outto push your tongue out of your mouth, especially as a rude sign to someone9.) put your hand/foot/arm outto move your hand etc forward and away from your body▪ He put out his hand toward her.10.)¦(MAKE UNCONSCIOUS)¦put sb outto make someone unconscious before a medical operation11.) put your back outto injure your back12.) ¦(PRODUCE SOMETHING)¦put sth<=>outto broadcast or produce something for people to read or listen to▪ They put out a half-hour programme on young refugees.13.) put out feelersto try to discover information or opinions by listening to people or watching what is happening▪ He had already put out feelers with local employers but they hadn't been interested.14.) ¦(SHIP)¦if a ship puts out, it starts to sail15.) ¦(HAVE SEX)¦AmE informal if a woman puts out, she has sex with a man16.) ¦(BASEBALL)¦put sb outto prevent a baseball player from running around the ↑bases, for example, by catching the ball that they have hitput over [put sth<=>over] phr v1.) BrE to succeed in telling other people your ideas, opinions, feelings, etc▪ The advert puts over the message clearly and simply: nuclear power is clean.2.) put one/sth over on sb informalto deceive someone into believing something that is not true or that is useless▪ Nobody could put one over on him.put through phr v1.) put sb/sth<=>throughto connect someone to someone else on the telephoneput somebody/something<=>through to▪ Could you put me through to Eddie?2.) put sb through school/college/universityto pay for someone to study at school, college etc▪ She worked as a waitress and put herself through school.3.) put sb through sthto make someone do or experience something difficult or unpleasant▪ The soldiers were put through eight weeks of basic training.▪ They really put me through it at the interview.4.) put sth<=>throughto do what is necessary in order to get a plan or suggestion accepted or approved▪ Production will start up again when these changes have been put through.put together [put sth<=>together] phr v1.) to prepare or produce something by collecting pieces of information, ideas etc▪ It took all morning to put the proposal together.2.) to form people or things into a group▪ We are currently putting together a sales and marketing team.3.) to make a machine, model etc by joining all the different parts= ↑assemble▪ I can't work out how to put this table together.4.) more ... than the rest/the others/everything else put togetherused to say that one amount is greater than the total of a set of amounts▪ Paul seemed to have more money than the rest of us put together.put towards [put sth towards sth] phr vto use some money in order to pay part of the cost of something▪ Alec put the money towards a trip to Australia.put under [put sb under] phr vif a doctor puts you under, they give you drugs to make you unconscious before ↑surgeryput up phr v1.) ¦(BUILD)¦put sth<=>upto build something such as a wall, fence, building etc= ↑erect▪ They're putting up several new office blocks in the centre of town.2.) ¦(FOR PEOPLE TO SEE)¦put sth<=>upto put a picture, notice etc on a wall so that people can see it▪ Can I put up some posters?▪ The shops have started to put up Christmas decorations.3.) ¦(ATTACH SOMETHING)¦put sth<=>upto attach a shelf, cupboard etc to a wall▪ My Dad put up five shelves.4.) ¦(INCREASE)¦put sth<=>upBrE to increase the cost or value of something= ↑raise▪ Most big stores admit they daren't put prices up for fear of losing their customers.5.) ¦(RAISE)¦put sth<=>upto raise something to a higher position▪ I put up my hand and asked to leave the room.▪ Philip put his hood up because it was raining.6.) ¦(LET SOMEBODY STAY)¦put sb upto let someone stay in your house and give them meals▪ I was hoping Kenny could put me up for a few days.7.) ¦(STAY SOMEWHERE)¦BrE to stay in a place for a short timeput up at/in/with▪ We can put up at a hotel for the night.8.) put up a fight/struggle/resistanceto show great determination to oppose something or get out of a difficult situation▪ Gina put up a real fight to overcome the disease.▪ The rebels have put up fierce resistance.9.) put up sthto give an amount of money for a particular purpose▪ The paper put up a reward for information on the murder.10.)¦(MAKE AVAILABLE)¦put sth upto make something or someone available for a particular purposeput something up for▪ They put their house up for sale .▪ The baby was put up for adoption .11.) put up a proposal/argument/case etcto explain a suggestion or idea so that other people can think about it or discuss it▪ If you can put up a good enough case, the board will provide the finance.12.) ¦(ELECTIONS)¦put sb<=>upto suggest someone as a suitable person to be elected to a position▪ I was put up for the committee.13.) put up or shut upspoken informal used to tell someone that they should either do what needs to be done or stop talking about itput up to [put sb up to sth] phr vto encourage someone to do something stupid or dangerous▪ 'Did Shirley put you up to this?' 'No, it was my own idea.'put up with / [put up with sb/sth] phr vto accept an unpleasant situation or person without complaining▪ She put up with his violent temper.
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.