v.
(puts, putting; past and past part. put)
- move to or place in a particular position.
- bring into a particular state or condition:
they tried to put me at ease.
▸express in a particular way:
to put it bluntly, he was not really divorced.
-
(put something on/on to)
cause to carry or be subject to something:
commentators put the blame on Congress.
▸assign a particular value, figure, or limit to.
- (of a ship) proceed in a particular direction:
the boat put out to sea.
- throw (a shot or weight) as an athletic sport.
n.
a throw of the shot or weight.
Phrase
- put someone's eyes out
blind someone in a violent way. - put one's hands together
applaud. - put one's hands up
raise one's hands in surrender. - put one over on
informal deceive (someone) into accepting something false. - put up or shut up
informal justify oneself or remain silent.
Phrase verbal
- put about
Nautical (of a ship) turn on the opposite tack. - put someone about
chiefly Scottish & N. English upset or trouble someone. - put something about
Brit. spread information or rumours. - put something aside
(or by)
save money for future use.
- put someone away
informal confine someone in a prison or psychiatric hospital. - put something away
- save money for future use.
- informal consume food or drink in large quantities.
- put someone down
informal criticize someone. - put something down
- suppress a rebellion or riot by force.
- kill an animal because it is sick, injured, or old.
- pay a specified sum as a deposit.
- preserve or store food or wine for future use.
- put something down to
attribute something to. - put someone off
- cancel or postpone an appointment with someone.
- cause someone to feel dislike or lose enthusiasm.
- distract someone.
- put something off
postpone something. - put someone on
informal try to make someone believe something that is untrue. - put something on
- place a garment on part of one's body.
- present or provide a play, service, etc.
- become heavier by a specified amount.
- assume a particular expression, accent, etc.
- put someone on to
draw someone's attention to. - put out
N. Amer. informal agree to have sex with someone. - put someone out
inconvenience, upset, or annoy someone. - put something out
- dislocate a joint.
- (of an engine or motor) produce a particular amount of power.
- put something over
N. Amer. postpone something. - put someone through
- subject someone to a gruelling or unpleasant experience.
- connect someone by telephone to another person or place.
- pay for one's child to attend school or college.
- put something to
- submit something to (someone) for consideration.
▸
(put it to)
make a statement or allegation to (someone) and challenge them to deny it.
- couple an animal with (another of the opposite sex) for breeding.
- put someone up
- accommodate someone temporarily.
- propose someone for election or adoption.
- put something up
- present something for discussion or consideration.
- publish banns.
- provide money as backing for an enterprise.
- offer something for sale or auction.
- offer a specified degree of resistance or skill in a fight or contest.
- cause game to rise from cover.
- archaic return a sword to its sheath.
- be put upon
informal be taken advantage of. - put someone up to
informal encourage someone to do (something wrong or unwise). - put up with
tolerate; endure.
Etymology
OE, of unknown origin; cf. dial. pote ‘to push, thrust’ (an early sense of put).