putput /pʊt/ ●●● S1 W1 verb (past tense and past participle put, present participle putting) [transitive] 
He put the coffee on the table. Where did you put the programmes? → see Thesaurus box on 0000002change somebody’s situation/feelings [always + adverb/preposition] to make someone be in a situation or have a feeling: Don’t put yourself into a situation you can’t handle.put somebody 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 somebody 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.3write/print something to write or print something or to make a mark with a pen or pencilput something in/on/under etc something Put your name at the top of each answer sheet.put something to something He put his signature to the contract (=he signed it to show he agreed with it).► see thesaurus at write4express [always + adverb/preposition] to say or write something using words in a particular wayput something 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.5put a stop/an end to something to stop an activity that is harmful or unacceptable: We must put an end to their threats.6put something into action/effect/practice to start using a plan, idea, knowledge etc: James was keen to put some of the things he had learned into practice.7ask/suggest to ask a question or make a suggestion, especially to get someone’s opinion or agreementput a proposition/proposal/case etc to somebody He put the proposal to his wife.put something before somebody 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.8put something right to 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.9put somebody straight/right (also set somebody straight/right) to 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.10put something straight to make something look clean and tidy: It took us all weekend to put the garden straight.11make 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).12have importance/quality [always + adverb/preposition] to consider something as having a particular level of importance or qualityput somebody as/among/in etc something A recent poll put Dr Martens among the world’s top thirty designer labels.put somebody/something before somebody/something Some companies put profit before safety.put somebody/something first/second etc The job’s important to him, but he puts his family first.13send somebody somewhere [always + adverb/preposition] to arrange for someone to go to a place, or to make them go thereput somebody in (something) 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.14put somebody on a train/plane etc to take someone to a plane, train etc to start a journey: I put her on the plane for London.15put paid to something British English to spoil and end your hopes or plans completely: A car accident put paid to his chances of taking part in the race.16I wouldn’t put it past somebody (to do something) 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.17put somebody to trouble/inconvenience especially British English to make extra work or cause problems for someone18put it there spoken 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!19throw to throw a shot (=a heavy metal ball) in a sports competition → put your finger on something at finger1(4), → put your foot down at foot1(13), → put your foot in it at foot1(15), → put the record straight at record1(11), → put something to (good) use at use2(4), → put your back into it at back2(19)COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 4adverbswell· Sorry, I’m not putting it very well.simply· Put simply, our aim is to create art.succinctly (=using only a few words)· A Russian economist put it most succinctly: ‘People do not care about carbon.’mildly (=in a way that is not extreme)· His theory is controversial, to put it mildly.bluntly/crudely/plainly (=in a direct way that may offend people)· I would put it more bluntly. I think you are wallowing in self-pity.delicately (=in a way that will not offend people)· He had been drunk, or as Hilton delicately put it, ‘talkative’.cleverly· I didn't agree with her, but she put her argument so cleverly that I was almost persuaded.phrasesput something another way· The dress was too small for me, or, to put it another way, I was too big for it.put something this/that way· Let me put it this way - she's not as young as she was.put something like that/this· ‘He's been completely irresponsible.’ ‘I wouldn’t put it quite like that.’put something into words (=say what you are feeling or thinking)· She couldn’t put her feelings into words.how shall I/we put it? (=used before saying something in an indirect or polite way)· Mr Lewis is now – how shall we put it? – hardly the influence he once was.COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 7nounsput a question (to somebody)· I will be putting that very question to her.put a proposition/proposal to somebody· I’ve a proposition to put to you.put a point to somebody· You should put that point to the Chancellor.put a case (to somebody)· He wanted to put his case to the full committee.phrasesput it to somebody that· I put it to him that what we needed was some independent advice.COLLOCATIONSnounsput forward a proposal/suggestion· She put forward a compromise proposal.put forward a plan/scheme· Both parties have put forward plans for political reform.put forward an idea· In 1829 he put forward the idea that the Earth is contracting.put forward a theory/hypothesis· Many theories have been put forward as to the building’s original purpose.put forward a view· We should encourage individuals to put forward their views.put forward an argument· He rejected the arguments put forward by the company’s lawyers.put forward a reason/explanation· A variety of reasons have been put forward to explain these changes.THESAURUSput to move something to a particular place: · I’ve put the wine in the fridge.· Where have you put my grey shirt?place to put something somewhere carefully: · ‘It’s beautiful,’ he said, placing it back on the shelf.lay to put someone or something down carefully on a flat surface: · He laid all the money on the table.· She laid the baby on his bed.position to carefully put something in a suitable position: · Position the microphone to suit your height.· Troops were positioned around the city.slip to put something somewhere with a quick movement: · He slipped his arm around her waist.· Carrie quickly slipped the money into her bag.shove to put something into a space or container quickly or carelessly: · Shove anything you don’t want in that sack.· I’ve ironed those shirts so don’t just shove them in a drawer.stick (also bung British English) informal to put something somewhere quickly or carelessly: · I stuck the address in my pocket and I can’t find it now.· Could you bung those clothes in the washing machine?dump to put something down somewhere in a careless and untidy way: · Don’t just dump all your bags in the kitchen.· People shouldn’t dump rubbish at the side of the street.pop informal to quickly put something somewhere, usually for a short time: · Pop it in the microwave for a minute.thrust literary to put something somewhere suddenly or forcefully: · ‘Hide it,’ he said, thrusting the watch into her hand.to put something into a liquiddip to put something into a liquid for a very short time and take it out again: · She dipped her hand in the water to see how hot it was.· Prawns are delicious dipped in a spicy sauce.plunge to put something quickly, firmly, and deeply into a liquid: · Plunge the pasta into a pan of boiling water.· I had to plunge my arm in up to the elbow to reach the keys.dunk to put something such as a piece of bread or cake into a hot drink or soup before eating it: · I love biscuits dunked in coffee.immerse to put something deep into a liquid so that it is completely covered: · If the plant’s leaves look dry, immerse the roots in water for a while.put about phrasal verb1put something about British English 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.2put (something) about technical if a ship puts about or if you put it about, it changes direction3put yourself about British English informal to have sexual relationships with a lot of different peopleput something ↔ across phrasal verb1to explain your ideas, beliefs etc in a way that people can understand: He was trying to put across a serious point.2put yourself across British English 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.3to sing, play music, or act in a film or play in a clear effective way: She can really put a song across.put something ↔ aside phrasal verb1to 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.2to save money regularly, usually for a particular purpose: She put at least £30 a week aside for food.3to 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.4to 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 something at something phrasal verb to calculate or guess an amount, number, age etc, without being very exact: Her fortune was put at £5.5 million.put somebody/something away phrasal verb1put something ↔ away to put something in the place where it is usually kept: He put his toys away every night.2put something ↔ away to save money: We’re putting some money away for expenses.3put somebody away informal to 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.4put something ↔ away informal to eat or drink a lot: It’s amazing the amount that child can put away.5put something ↔ away informal to score a goal, especially after other failed attempts: He seized the opportunity to put the ball away.6put something ↔ away American English informal to defeat your opponent in a sports competition: Two plays later, Smith scored to put the game away.put something back phrasal verb1put somebody/something ↔ back to 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.2put something ↔ back to arrange for an event to start at a later time or date SYN postponeput back to The meeting has been put back to next Thursday.3put something ↔ back to delay a process or activity by a number of weeks, months etc: This fire could put back the opening date by several weeks.4to make someone or something have something that they used to have before: The win put a smile back on his face.5put a clock/watch back British English to make a clock or watch show an earlier time SYN set back American English → put the clock back at clock1(3)put something behind you phrasal verb to 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 something ↔ by phrasal verb to 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 phrasal verb1place put something/somebody ↔ down to put something or someone that you are holding or carrying onto a surface: Put those heavy bags down for a minute.2criticize put somebody ↔ down to criticize someone and make them feel silly or stupid SYN belittle: I hate the way Dave puts me down the whole time.put yourself down Stop putting yourself down.3write put something ↔ down to write something, especially a name or number, on a piece of paper or on a list SYN write down: Put down your name and address.4put down a revolution/revolt/rebellion etc to stop a revolution etc by using force: The uprising was put down by the police and the army.5pay put something ↔ down to pay part of the total cost of something, so that you can pay the rest laterput down on They put down a deposit on the goods until Christmas.6baby put somebody down to put a baby in its bed: We try to put Amy down at six every evening.7put the phone down to put the receiver back onto the telephone when you have finished speaking to someone SYN hang upput down on She put the phone down on me (=suddenly ended the conversation).8kill put something ↔ down to kill an animal without causing it pain, usually because it is old or sick SYN put something to sleep: We had to have the dog put down.9I couldn’t put it down spoken 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.10aircraft put (something) down if 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.11put down a motion/an amendment to suggest a subject, plan, change in the law etc for a parliament or committee to consider12leave passenger put somebody down British English 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 somebody down as something phrasal verb to 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 somebody down for something phrasal verb1to 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.2put somebody down for £5/£20 etc especially British English to write someone’s name on a list with an amount of money that they have promised to giveput something down to something phrasal verb1to think that something is caused by something else: I was having difficulty reading, which I put down to the poor light.2put it down to experience to 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 something phrasal verb1to suggest an idea, explanation etc, especially one that other people later consider and discuss SYN submit: Arguments were put forth for changing some of the rules of the game.2put forth leaves/shoots/roots etc formal if a tree or bush puts forth leaves etc, it begins to grow themput somebody/something ↔ forward phrasal verb1to suggest a plan, proposal, idea etc for other people to consider or discuss SYN propose: They put forward a number of suggestions.2to 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.3to arrange for an event to start at an earlier time or dateput forward to The men’s final has been put forward to 1:30.4put a clock/watch forward British English to make a clock or watch show a later time SYN set forward American Englishput in phrasal verb1put something ↔ in to fix a piece of equipment somewhere and connect it so that it is ready to be used SYN install: We decided to have a new bathroom put in.2put something ↔ in to spend time or use energy working or practising something: Dorothy had put in a lot of hard work during her six years as chairperson.3put in something written to interrupt someone in order to say something: ‘How old are you?’ ‘Sixteen.’ ‘I’m sixteen too,’ put in Dixie.4put something ↔ in to ask for something in an official way: She put in an insurance claim. We must put in an order by tonight.put in for something I put in for a pay increase.5put your faith/trust/confidence in somebody/something to trust someone or something or believe that they can do something: I’m putting my faith in the appeal judges.6put in something to 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.7put in an appearance to 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.8if a ship puts in, it enters a portput something into something phrasal verb1to make money available to be used for a particular purpose: The government appears to be putting more money into education.2to use a lot of energy etc when you are doing an activity: Candidates put a lot of time and effort into gaining qualifications.3to add a quality to something: These simple recipes put more fun into eating.put somebody/something off phrasal verb1 put something ↔ off to 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 SYN delay, procrastinate: The match has been put off until tomorrow because of bad weather.put off doing something I put off going to the doctor but I wish I hadn’t.2 put somebody ↔ off British English 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 somebody off (doing) something Don’t let your failures put you off trying harder.3 put somebody off to make someone wait because you do not want to meet them, pay them etc until later SYN stall: When he calls, put him off as long as you can.4 put somebody off (something) British English 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 somebody off (something) British English to let someone leave a vehicle at a particular place: I’ll put you off at the supermarket.put somebody/something on phrasal verb1clothes put something ↔ on to put a piece of clothing on your body OPP 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.2on skin put something ↔ on to put make-up, cream etc on your skin: I’ve got to put this cream on twice a day.3affect/influence something put something on something to 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.4start equipment put something ↔ on to make a light or a piece of equipment start working by pressing or turning a button or switch SYN switch on, turn on: He got up and put on the light. Shall I put the kettle on?5music put something ↔ on to put a record, tape, or CD into a machine and start playing it: She put on some music while they ate.6pretend put something ↔ on to 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).7put on weight/12 lbs/4 kg etc to become fatter and heavier SYN gain: Rosie’s put on five kilos since she quit smoking.8event/concert/play etc put something ↔ on to arrange for a concert, play etc to take place, or to perform in it: One summer the children put on a play.9show what you can do put something ↔ on to show what you are able to do or what power you have: The team need to put on another world-class performance.10cook put something ↔ on to start cooking something: Shall I put the pasta on now?11provide something put something ↔ on British English to provide a service for people, especially a special one: BA is putting on extra flights to cover the Christmas rush.12you’re putting me on! American English spoken used to tell someone that you think they are joking: He wouldn’t do that – you’re putting me on.13risk money put something on something to risk an amount of money on the result of a game, race etc SYN bet: We put £50 on Brazil to win the Cup.14add put something on something to add an amount of money or tax onto the cost of something: Can smokers really complain if more tax is put on cigarettes?15telephone put somebody ↔ on to give someone the telephone so that they can talk to someone who is telephoning: Can you put Janet on?put somebody onto somebody/something phrasal verb British English 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 phrasal verb1fire/cigarette etc put something ↔ out to make a fire etc stop burning SYN extinguish: The rescue services are still trying to put out the fires.2light put something ↔ out to make a light stop working by pressing or turning a button or switch SYN switch off3make available put something ↔ out to put things where people can find and use them: The girls helped her to put out the cups and plates.4feel/be put out to feel upset or offended: We were a little put out at not being invited to the wedding.5make extra work put somebody out to make extra work or cause problems for someone: Mary can’t come to dinner tonight. She hopes it won’t put you out.6put yourself out to make an effort to do something that will help someone: They had put themselves out to entertain her during her visit.7take outside put something ↔ out to 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)8put your tongue out to push your tongue out of your mouth, especially as a rude sign to someone9put your hand/foot/arm out to move your hand etc forward and away from your body: He put out his hand toward her.10make unconscious put somebody out to make someone unconscious before a medical operation11put your back out to injure your back12produce something put something ↔ out to broadcast or produce something for people to read or listen to: They put out a half-hour programme on young refugees.13put out feelers to 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.14ship if a ship puts out, it starts to sail15have sex American English informal if a woman puts out, she has sex with a man16baseball put somebody out to prevent a baseball player from running around the bases, for example by catching the ball that they have hitput something ↔ over phrasal verb1 British English to succeed in telling other people your ideas, opinions, feelings etc: The advert puts over the message clearly and simply: nuclear power is clean.2put one/something over on somebody informal to deceive someone into believing something that is not true or that is useless: Nobody could put one over on him.put through phrasal verb1put somebody/something ↔ through to connect someone to someone else on the telephoneput through to Could you put me through to Eddie?2put somebody through school/college/university to pay for someone to study at school, college etc: She worked as a waitress and put herself through school.3put somebody through something to 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.4put something ↔ through to 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 something ↔ together phrasal verb1to prepare or produce something by collecting pieces of information, ideas etc: It took all morning to put the proposal together.2to form people or things into a group: We are currently putting together a sales and marketing team.3to make a machine, model etc by joining all the different parts SYN assemble: I can’t work out how to put this table together.4more ... than the rest/the others/everything else put together used 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 something towards something phrasal verb to use some money in order to pay part of the cost of something: Alec put the money towards a trip to Australia.put somebody under phrasal verb if a doctor puts you under, they give you drugs to make you unconscious before surgeryput up phrasal verb1build put something ↔ up to build something such as a wall, fence, building etc SYN erect: They’re putting up several new office blocks in the centre of town.2for people to see put something ↔ up to 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.3attach something put something ↔ up to attach a shelf, cupboard etc to a wall: My dad put up five shelves.4increase put something ↔ up British English to increase the cost or value of something SYN raise: Most big stores admit they daren’t put prices up for fear of losing their customers.5raise put something ↔ up to 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.6let somebody stay put somebody up to let someone stay in your house and give them meals: I was hoping Kenny could put me up for a few days.7stay somewhere British English to stay in a place for a short timeput up at/in/with We can put up at a hotel for the night.8put up a fight/struggle/resistance to 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.9put up something to give an amount of money for a particular purpose: The paper put up a reward for information on the murder.10make available put something up to make something or someone available for a particular purposeput up for They put their house up for sale. The baby was put up for adoption.11put up a proposal/argument/case etc to 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.12elections put somebody ↔ up to suggest someone as a suitable person to be elected to a position: I was put up for the committee.13put up or shut up spoken informal used to tell someone that they should either do what needs to be done or stop talking about itput somebody up to something phrasal verb to encourage someone to do something stupid or dangerous: ‘Did Shirley put you up to this?’ ‘No, it was my own idea.’put up with somebody/something phrasal verb to accept an unpleasant situation or person without complaining: She put up with his violent temper.RegisterIn written English, people usually prefer to use tolerate, which is more formal:· They had to tolerate many hardships.
WORD ORIGINput
Origin:
Old English putianVERB TABLE
put
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | put |
| he, she, it | puts | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | put |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have put |
| he, she, it | has put | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had put |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will put |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have put |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am putting |
| he, she, it | is putting | |
| you, we, they | are putting | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was putting |
| you, we, they | were putting | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been putting |
| he, she, it | has been putting | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been putting |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be putting |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been putting |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Grandmother was getting too frail to live on her own, so we had to put her in an old people's home.
- I'm not allowed to put up any posters in my bedroom.
- I put the coin in my pocket.
- I put the letter back in the envelope.
- I can't remember where I put my keys.
- I wrote to Marian, but I didn't put anything about Bill being arrested.
- It's time to put everything away now.
- Just put 'with love from Jason' on the card.
- Just put the bags on the table.
- She put the sales slip in the plastic bag with the dress.
- She picked up a porcelain figurine and put it down again.
- The photographer arranged the wedding guests, putting the smallest ones at the front.
- They put me in a room on my own and locked the door.
- This is music to put you in a relaxed mood.
- When did you last put oil in the car?
- Where did you put the newspaper?
- Winning their last six games has put Utah into first place.
- Groover Records are now putting on a Monday night club at two different venues.
- He put himself through school with wages earned as a carpenter.
- I took my wallet out and took two fivers and put them on the table.
- Now they must try to put their dreams back together again.
- The ground crew can now work to refuel, clean the squashed bugs off the bubble and put the aircraft to bed.
- The stench and the bloody process we watched put me off tinned fish for many months.
- The time has come to put such a fee in place.
THESAURUS
to move something to a particular place: · I’ve put the wine in the fridge.· Where have you put my grey shirt?
to put something somewhere carefully: · ‘It’s beautiful,’ he said, placing it back on the shelf.
to put someone or something down carefully on a flat surface: · He laid all the money on the table.· She laid the baby on his bed.
to carefully put something in a suitable position: · Position the microphone to suit your height.· Troops were positioned around the city.
to put something somewhere with a quick movement: · He slipped his arm around her waist.· Carrie quickly slipped the money into her bag.
to put something into a space or container quickly or carelessly: · Shove anything you don’t want in that sack.· I’ve ironed those shirts so don’t just shove them in a drawer.
(also bung British English) informal to put something somewhere quickly or carelessly: · I stuck the address in my pocket and I can’t find it now.· Could you bung those clothes in the washing machine?
to put something down somewhere in a careless and untidy way: · Don’t just dump all your bags in the kitchen.· People shouldn’t dump rubbish at the side of the street.
informal to quickly put something somewhere, usually for a short time: · Pop it in the microwave for a minute.
literary to put something somewhere suddenly or forcefully: · ‘Hide it,’ he said, thrusting the watch into her hand.
to put something into a liquid to put something into a liquid for a very short time and take it out again: · She dipped her hand in the water to see how hot it was.· Prawns are delicious dipped in a spicy sauce.
to put something quickly, firmly, and deeply into a liquid: · Plunge the pasta into a pan of boiling water.· I had to plunge my arm in up to the elbow to reach the keys.
to put something such as a piece of bread or cake into a hot drink or soup before eating it: · I love biscuits dunked in coffee.
to put something deep into a liquid so that it is completely covered: · If the plant’s leaves look dry, immerse the roots in water for a while.
Longman Language Activatorto put something somewhere to move something to a place or position and leave it there: put something in/on/there etc: · Just put the bags on the table.· I can't remember where I put my keys.put something back (=put it in the place where it was before or where it should be): · I put the letter back in the envelope.put something away (=put it where it is usually kept): · It's time to put everything away now.put something down/put down something (=put something you are holding onto a surface): · She picked up a porcelain figurine and put it down again. put something up/put up something (=fasten something to a wall, ceiling, or in a high position): · I'm not allowed to put up any posters in my bedroom.
to carefully put something somewhere: place something on/in/over/there etc: · Every week someone comes and places fresh flowers on her grave.· Place some lemon slices on the fish before serving it.· Food is placed in a large cage, and when the animal enters, the door drops down.· Winters placed his hand on my arm, holding me back.
to put something in a place and not take it with you when you go: · Now, where did I leave my gym shoes?leave something in/on/on top of etc: · Just leave your umbrellas and things behind the door.· She had left all her personal belongings in the London apartment.leave something somewhere: · I'm sure I left my bag somewhere around here.
to put someone or something somewhere and never go back to get them, for example because you want to get rid of them or because you are unable to take them with you: · Retreating troops were told to abandon their weapons and run as fast as they could towards the beach.· A new-born baby was found abandoned on the steps of a hospital yesterday.
to carefully move something into the right position for a particular purpose: · Make sure you position the wheel correctly before you tighten up the nuts.· Federal troops were positioned around the city.
to put a bomb in a public place : plant something in/at/outside/nearby etc: · The two men planted the bomb outside Harrods department store in London.plant something in/on/there etc: · No rebel group has claimed responsibility for planting the explosives in the van.
to put something in someone's pocket, room, car etc in order to make them seem guilty of a crime: · It turned out the security services had planted the documents in his luggage.· He accused the police of planting evidence.
to put something on a surface, especially so that it is flat: lay something on/across something: · She unfolded the map and laid it on the table.lay something out/lay out something (=arrange something carefully on a surface): · Before you start packing, lay out all the clothes on the bed.lay something down/lay down something (=put something you are holding onto a surface): · Farley laid the gun down and surrendered.
to put down something big and heavy which you have been carrying - used especially in literature or stories: set something/it/them down: · They set the coffin down in front of the altar.set down something: · The movers brought in the dresser, which they set down against the wall.
to put something down - used especially when describing events in a formal or humorous way: · Aunt Augusta deposited the contents of her bag on the kitchen table.· After the lessons on the environment, children deposited much more litter in trash cans, rather than dropping it.
to put something in the place where it was before to put something back in the place it is usually kept or in the place it was in before: put something back: · Put the cups back in the cupboard when you've finished with them.· She took a quick look at the contents of the book, and then put it back on the shelf.put back something: · He had tidied up the room and put back all my things where they belonged.
written to put something back in the place it was before: · Johnson carefully returned the document to its hiding place.· Return the pan to the heat and simmer for a further 5-10 minutes.
to put something somewhere quickly or carelessly informal to push something quickly or carelessly into a space or container: shove something in/into/under etc: · Shove anything you don't want in that sack.· He bundled the papers together and shoved them into a drawer.
spoken to put something somewhere, especially quickly or carelessly: stick something on/in/over something: · I stuck the pictures in a drawer and forgot all about them.· "What should I do with these?" "Oh, just stick them anywhere."
to carelessly drop something somewhere in an untidy way, especially something heavy: · People dump rubbish in the lanes, and the council is slow to clean it up.dump something on/in/there etc: · Who dumped all these books on my desk?dump something down: · I dumped my heavy suitcase down on the doorstep.
to put something down somewhere quickly and violently because you are angry: slam something down: · She slammed the cup down, and coffee splashed all over him.slam down something: · "To hell with you," he shouted, and slammed down the phone.
to put something forcefully and suddenly into a place: thrust something in/on/under etc: · Clark thrust a paper sack across the counter and demanded money.· She thrust the bag into my hands. "Hide it," she hissed.· He nervously thrust his hands into his pockets.
informal to put something somewhere quickly for a short time: pop something in/into/under etc: · She took out a piece of chewing gum and popped it in her mouth.· Pop it in the microwave for a couple of minutes.
British informal to put something somewhere quickly and without thinking carefully: bung something in/into/on etc: · Could you bung those clothes into the washing machine for me?· Just sign the card, bung it in an envelope and send it off.
especially British /plunk American to put something down somewhere noisily and carelessly: plonk something on/in/there etc: · She brought a bottle of beer and a glass and plonked them on the table in front of me.· Gamblers plunked nickels and quarters into the slot machines.plonk something down: · Are those things for me? Just plonk them down anywhere.· Gary plunked a dollar down on the counter to pay for his Coke.
to put several things on top of each other to put a lot of things on top of each other, especially in an untidy way: pile something on/onto/there etc: · Gifts were piled under the Christmas tree.· Has anyone else noticed that towels dry faster when you don't pile them in the middle of the floor?pile something up (=put a lot of things on top of each other in a tall pile): · He piled his dirty laundry up just outside my door.be piling up (=use this to say a pile is growing quickly): · We called the police when we noticed her newspapers and mail were piling up.
to put things neatly on top of each other: · I'll start stacking the chairs.stack something against/in/on something: · Boxes were stacked in the corner.stack something up (=put a lot of things on top of each other in a tall pile): · My kids leave dirty plates stacked up in the sink until I get home.
to put a lot of things on top of each other in an untidy way: heap something on/onto: · Cheap clothes and shoes were heaped on tables.heap something with something: · a plate heaped with saladheap something in/into a pile: · Eileen collected the leaves, heaping them into piles for burning.lie heaped: · Her clothes lay heaped together in a corner of the room.
to put something into a hole or small space: put something in/into/inside etc · I put the coin in my pocket.· When did you last put oil in the car?· She put the sales slip in the plastic bag with the dress.
to move something smoothly into a small narrow space: slide something into: · Slide your card into the machine and then tap in your number.· The coffin was slid into the waiting hearse.
to put something in a small space so that it is covered and is safe, comfortable, or warm: tuck something into/under/in etc: · It was starting to get cold, and she tucked her hands into the pockets of her jeans.· He tucked the newspaper under his arm and walked on.be tucked in/under etc: · The boys were tucked in bed, fast asleep.
to carefully put something into a hole or space, especially one where it is designed to go, for example in a machine or piece of equipment: · Insert the correct coins, then select the drink you want and press the button.insert something in/into/between etc: · A nurse carefully inserted the needle into my left arm.· A very thin sheet of paper is then inserted between the metal plates.
to put something in a liquid for a short time to put something into a liquid for a short time and take it out again: dip something in/into something: · Emily dipped her toes in the water and squealed.· Dip stale bread in egg and milk and fry it in butter to make French Toast.
to dip something such as a piece of bread or cake into a hot drink or soup before eating it: dunk something in/into something: · Bill dunked a piece of bread in the soup.· My daughter likes to dunk her biscuits in my tea.
to put paint, glue, make-up etc onto a surface to put something such a paint or glue onto a surface, or make-up (=powders and colours that women put on their faces) onto your face: put something on: · The paint had been put on too thickly, and it had dripped.put on something: · When you put the glue on, be careful not to get any on your fingers.· Patricia went upstairs to put on some lipstick.
to put something such as paint or glue onto a surface, or make-up (=powders and colours that women put on their faces) onto your face - used especially in written instructions on how to use it: · Apply the cream in the morning and the evening.· Make sure the surface is completely dry before applying the final coat of paint.
informal to put something such as paint or glue onto a surface, or make-up (=powders and colours that women put on their faces) onto your face quickly and without much care, and usually in large amounts: slap something on: · Mike was slapping jam on a slice of bread.slap on something: · Slap on a coat of paint and it will look good as new.
to put something in a sloping position to put something in a sloping position so that it is against a wall or other surface and is supported by it: · She leaned the ladder against the house and climbed up to the window.lean something (up) against something: · Soldiers leaned their M-16 rifles up against their tables as they ate.
to put something against a surface so that it is supported by it: rest something on/against something: · She slid down in her chair and rested her head on the back of the seat.· Resting his spade against the wall, he went to help Michael light the fire.
to lean something in an almost upright position against something such as a wall: stand something against/in etc: · Maggie stood her bicycle against the wall of the shed.· Just stand it in the corner, so it doesn't fall.
to lean something against a wall or other surface, especially quickly and for a short time: prop something against something: · He propped his bicycle against the fence and ran inside.stand/lie propped against something: · An old guitar lay propped against a wall.
to put something somewhere while it is not being used to put something somewhere and keep it there until it is needed: store something in/under etc: · Store the vegetables in a cool dark place.· The computer stores the information in its memory automatically.store something away (=store something where it cannot be seen): · Instead of being distributed, the food was unloaded and stored away in a warehouse.
to put something such as money, valuable things, or drugs in a secret place, especially when you have them illegally: · The two men were looking for a place to stash their weapons.stash away something/stash something away: · He has illegally stashed away as much as $50 in foreign bank accounts.stash something in something: · The stolen goods had been stashed in a storage unit in Burbank.have something stashed away: · He must have all that money stashed away somewhere.
to put something such as equipment or a bag neatly in a space until you need it again: stow something in/on/under etc: · She stowed her luggage on the rack above her head and then sat down.stow something away (=stow it where it cannot be seen): · In the daytime the mattress is stowed away in that cupboard.
to put things into a bag, box, car etc before taking them somewhere to put things into cases, bags, boxes etc so that you can take them somewhere: · We're going to Greece tomorrow, and I haven't started packing yet!· Did you remember to pack the suntan lotion?pack a bag/suitcase (=put things into a bag etc): · She packed her suitcase and set off for the airport.pack something into something: · We packed all our books into boxes.
spoken to put all the clothes and other things you need for travelling into bags: · How long do you think it'll take you to get packed?· By the time we'd gotten packed it was almost midnight.
to put goods, furniture, or other large objects into a large vehicle so that they can be taken somewhere: load something into/onto something: · I started loading the boxes into the truck.be loaded with something: · Trucks loaded with food and medicine waited at the border.fully loaded: · When the planes are fully loaded, they aren't able to take off from this runway, as it is too short.
to put a lot of things into a vehicle or boat, especially so that it is full: load up a truck/car etc: · Do you have time to help us load up the car?load up with: · The ship's lifeboat was taken into Lerwick to load up with fresh vegetables.
to put equipment in a place and make it ready to be used to put a new piece of machinery or equipment into a room or building: put in something: · The landlord has promised to put in a new heating system.put something in: · The workmen are coming to put the new windows in today.
to put a new piece of machinery or equipment into a room or building, and connect it to the electricity supply, water supply etc: · Crime has dropped since the video cameras were installed in the town centre.· The company is installing a new computer system.
to put a new part or piece of equipment into or onto something such as a machine or car: · I had to fit new locks after the burglary.
to put someone in a place: put somebody in/on/at etc · They put me in a room on my own and locked the door.· The photographer arranged the wedding guests, putting the smallest ones at the front.· Grandmother was getting too frail to live on her own, so we had to put her in an old people's home.
to put a soldier or police officer in a position where they will be able to guard a place or watch whoever is coming in or going out: · They have posted guards at every door to make sure no one enters the building.· Sentries are being posted outside all government buildings.
to put a group of soldiers or police officers in a particular place, especially so that they are ready to guard it: · The French generals had positioned thousands of troops along the border.· Army units are to be positioned at all major installations including factories and power stations.
to put money in a bank · How much did you put in?put something in the bank/an account · I put $50 in my bank every week.· Any money that you put in your account will immediately start earning interest.put money/a cheque/£100/$200 etc in · When did you put the money in?
to put money into a bank account - used especially by people who work in banks: · The money is deposited in my account every month.· Our records show that you deposited $200 in your account on January 17th.
to add more to an amount or cost · They seem to have added a 10% service charge.add something to something · New fire-safety equipment had to be installed, adding thousands of dollars to the cost of the repairs.add to something · Catherine won't mind if you add to her workload (=give her more work) -- she needs the extra money.
British to add an amount of money, especially a tax, to the cost of something: · There are rumours that the government plans to put 20p on the cost of a packet of cigarettes.· The new tax could put another ten cents on the price of gas.
to add more to something so that you have enough -- used especially about someone adding to an amount of money, or someone eating more of a particular type of food to make them healthy: · Tracy gives her children vitamin pills to supplement their diet.· Mary found it necessary to supplement her earnings by writing articles for magazines.
to ask for something officially to write to someone asking for something such as a job, an opportunity to study at a university, or permission to do something: · "I still haven't received my passport." "When did you apply?"apply for: · How many jobs had you applied for before you were offered this one?apply to do something: · Finland did not apply to join the EC until 1992.
especially British to ask for something, especially money, from a government, company etc, because you believe you have a legal right to have it: · Thousands of people who should get welfare payments never even bother to claim them.claim something from somebody: · The two companies are claiming $500 million each in damages from the government.claim damages/compensation: · Because the accident had not been her fault, Barbara was able to claim damages.
formal to officially ask someone for something or ask someone to do something: · The pilot requested permission to land the plane at O'Hare airport.· Officials in Seoul are requesting the drug dealer's extradition from Bahrain.request that: · We request that all cell phones and pagers be turned off for the duration of the performance.be requested to do something: · Anna was requested to make the necessary arrangements for the convention.
to officially ask someone that you do not know well for something or ask them to do something, especially when you are not sure if they will do it: · Will you be approaching the bank for a loan?· They had approached Barlow to see if he would participate in the charity event.· I have been approached regarding the possibility of selling the building to a startup company.
to ask someone for something such as a job, government money etc that is available, by officially writing to them to say that you want it: · I've put in for a transfer to one of our overseas branches.· All those who lost their jobs put in for compensation.· Students must put in for grants at least six months before their course begins.
someone who officially asks for something such as a job, official document etc by writing or answering the questions on a form: · Ten women were selected from over 30 applicants.applicant for: · Applicants for teacher-training courses need to have at least one year's experience.job/grant etc applicant: · Many job applicants do not know how to write an appealing cover letter.
someone who asks for something, especially money, from the government, a court etc, because they believe they have a legal right to it: · The company will settle the lawsuit and provide compensation for claimants.· Garcia is representing three Spanish-speaking claimants in their case against the state.
to attach something to a wall etc, especially so that it can be seen to attach something to a wall, such as a picture or notice, so that it can be seen: put something up: · Sarah had put posters up all around her room.· Shall I put it up opposite the mirror?put up something: · Someone's put up a notice in the library offering childcare for $11 an hour.· We want to put up an art display at the end of the year to show off the students' work.
to attach something to a wall, tree etc so that it can be seen, especially by using string or wire: · Where do you think we should hang it?hang something on: · When are we going to hang the lights on the Christmas tree, Mommy?hang up something/hang something up: · The children are hanging up the decorations for the party.· She hung it up on the bulletin board in the staff room.
to avoid attention or take attention away to make a special effort to be normal, inoffensive, or quiet, so that people will not pay attention to you: not draw attention to: · It was obvious that Jackson didn't want to draw attention to himself. without drawing attention: · The city's wealth allows drug traffickers to live a comfortable lifestyle without drawing attention to themselves. avoid drawing attention: · Aides to the Prime Minister tried to avoid drawing public attention to the speech.
to make someone pay attention to one thing or person, either deliberately or without intending to, so that they do not pay attention to another: · The government was hoping to draw attention away from the current economic crisis.· His 'bad-boy' behaviour tends to draw attention away from many of the good things he is doing in his community.
to make someone stop paying attention to something important, either deliberately or without intending to: · The debate is diverting attention from the urgent need to improve the way the medical system cares for terminally ill patients.divert/distract attention from: · The bomb could have been planted in order to distract attention from the robbery.distract/divert somebody's attention: · Before we could explore the matter further, some new evidence diverted our attention.
British informal to make someone stop paying attention to what they are doing, especially so that they make a mistake: · Stop staring at me, it's putting me off.put somebody off their game/stroke: · All the noise from the crowd put Alison off her game.
to try not to make anyone notice you for a period of time, for example because you have done something bad: · She's keeping a low profile until the scandal is forgotten.· Many of the exiles have married, taken jobs, and generally kept a low profile.
to build something to make a house, road, wall, bridge etc using bricks, stone, wood or other materials: · Are they going to build on this land?· His ambition is to build his own house.· The cost of building the new football stadium was over $40 million.· The road was originally built by the Romans.be built of concrete/stone/wood etc: · Only about 3% of houses in the US are built of concrete.
to build a wall, fence, or a tall building: put up something: · They're planning to tear down these apartments and put up an office building.put something up: · Isobel and Peter have put a stone wall up along the side of the garden.
to build a large public building, a bridge, road etc: · The city council has plans for constructing two new schools and a hospital.· This elegant two-storey stone building was constructed in 1889.· New freeway ramps are being constructed in San Bruno.
especially spoken if buildings are going up in a place, they are being built: · It seems like new beachfront hotels are going up every week.· Whenever a new mall goes up, I ask myself how many of these things we need.
formal to build a public building or structure: · The first lighthouse was erected on the island in 1912.· The group hopes to erect a statue of Fleming next year.
to make something stop burning to make a fire stop burning, or make a cigarette, pipe etc stop burning: put out something: · It took firefighters four hours to put out the blaze.· I put out my cigarette and went back into the house.put something out: · She threw sand on the fire to put it out.
formal to make a fire stop burning, or make a cigarette stop burning - used especially in official notices or statements: · Would all passengers please extinguish their cigarettes? Thank you.· He managed to extinguish the flames with his coat.
to make a flame or fire stop burning by blowing on it: blow out something: · You have to blow out all the candles or your wish won't come true.blow something out: · We tried to light a fire but the wind kept blowing it out.
to cover a fire with something in order to stop it burning: · I grabbed a blanket and tried to smother the flames.
to stop a cigarette from burning by pushing it against something hard: stub out something: · She stubbed out her cigarette on the edge of the table.stub something out: · Don't stub your cigarette out on the floor!
to believe that something is caused by a particular thing to explain a situation, event, or behaviour by saying that it is the result of something else: · Charlie's been drinking a lot lately, which I put down to stress at work.· Authorities put the acts of vandalism down to "festive high spirits" after the team's victory.· Her restlessness was put down to excitement, and nobody realised she was seriously ill.
formal to explain a situation or fact by saying that it is the result of something else: · Over 1,000 deaths a year can be attributed to drunk driving.· The low crop yields are attributed to changes in climate.· The management attributed the success of the company to the new Marketing Director.
to put on clothes to put on a piece of clothing: put something on: · Put your coat on if you're going out.put on something: · She put on her bathrobe and went downstairs.
to put on the clothes that you usually wear during the day or to go out in clothes: · I got dressed quickly and ran outside.· Sandra's in the bedroom getting dressed.
to put on a piece of clothing, to see if it fits you and if it looks nice on you: try something on: · If you like the shoes, why don't you try them on?try on something: · I tried on a beautiful coat, but it was too big.
to put a piece of clothing on quickly and easily: slip something/it/them on: · I took out my old cardigan and slipped it on.· The girls got out their party dresses, giggling as they slipped them on.slip on something: · She slipped on a pair of white jeans and a black sleeveless top.
to put on warm clothing, especially because you are going out in cold weather: wrap up warm: · You ought to wrap up warm -- I think it's going to snow.be wrapped up against the cold: · The kids, wrapped up in layers against the cold, waddled out to play.
to wear clothes that you do not normally wear so that you look like someone else for fun: · Most kids love dressing up.dress up in: · They were dressed up in old sheets, pretending to be ghosts.dress up as: · One of the students dressed up as a rabbit and marched around campus carrying a sign.dress yourself up: · I came in to find that my daughter had dressed herself up in my clothes.
to put information or a program into a computer · We put all these details into our computer, and it chooses a suitable partner for you.· The quality of output data will depend on the data you have put in.
to put information into a computer: · The user inputs the data, and the computer stores it in its memory.· We're currently inputting the names and addresses of all our customers into a database.
to put information into a computer by pressing the keys: · Enter the amount of money you wish to take out of your account.· If a word is entered incorrectly the machine refuses to obey the command.
to put a program into a computer so that it is ready to be used: · LOAD is a command which loads a new program from the file.load into: · The program can be encoded on the disk's surface and then loaded into the microprocessor.
to cook something to prepare food or a meal by heating it, boiling it, frying it etc: · I'm just too tired to cook after work.· Prick the potatoes with a fork before cooking them.cook lunch/supper/a meal etc: · I usually cook a big meal on Sundays.cook (something) for somebody (=cook a meal for someone): · The last time she cooked a meal for us we really enjoyed it.
to make a meal or dish or type of food, either by cooking it or by preparing it in some other way: · My mother used to make delicious strawberry jam.· I think I'll make fish pie for supper.· I'll make the salad if you'll make the pasta.make lunch/dinner/supper etc: · When I got home, Martin was in the kitchen making lunch.make somebody something: · I'll make you some sandwiches to take with you.
especially British, spoken to cook or prepare a meal: · Sit down and let me get dinner.· Joey was downstairs getting the kids their breakfast.
especially American to make a meal or dish - use this about meals you make quickly, not about big, formal meals: fix breakfast/lunch/dinner etc: · I have to fix lunch now.fix somebody something: · If you're hungry, I can fix you some scrambled eggs.
to make a meal quickly using whatever food you have available: · She managed to rustle up a delicious meal with just a little salad and some eggs.rustle something up: · "I don't think there's any food in the house.'' "Don't worry, I'm sure we can rustle something up.''
written to make a meal, especially something that needs time, effort, or skill: · Prepare a vinaigrette dressing with olive oil, white wine vinegar, and mustard.· Some French dishes take hours to prepare.· Mrs Fujimoto prepared a delicious meal for them.
spoken informal to make a particular kind of food: do something: · I was thinking of doing fish tonight.do somebody something: · I could do you an omelette.
to make an unusual or unpleasant drink, dish, or medicine, by mixing together several different things: concoct something: · For the party, they had concocted a special cocktail containing, among other things, rum and vodka.concoct something out of: · Whenever I had a cold, my grandmother would concoct a remedy out of herbs, ginger, lemons and garlic.
to make a drink by mixing two or more liquids or substances together: · If they sell cocktails would you ask the bartender to mix a Harvey Wallbanger?· You can leave the meal cooking while you mix a drink for your guests.
: put the dinner/potatoes/vegetables etc on to start cooking something: · Can we put the dinner on? I'm starved.· They'll be here soon. You'd better put the steaks on.
if food is on , it is being cooked: · The soup is on, so dinner will be ready in about twenty minutes.· Okay, the chicken is on. What can I do now?
to put something over, on, or around something else to put something over, on, or around something else, in order to hide it, protect it, or improve its appearance: · Prepare the salad, and cover it until it's time to serve.cover something with something: · She covered her face with her hands and ran upstairs.cover up something (=cover something completely): · She always wears a lot of make-up to cover up her spots.cover something up: · They used special paint to cover up the cracks in the wall.
to put a cloth, piece of material loosely over the top of something in order to cover it: · The stewardess gave him a blanket to put over his legs.· Before you paint the walls, put some old sheets over the furniture.
to put paper, plastic, cloth etc tightly around something in order to protect, decorate, or post it: · Have you wrapped up all your Christmas presents yet?wrap something (up) in something: · Ruth caught a sea bass and wrapped it up in paper to bring home to her cat.· He wrapped the uneaten half of his sandwich in foil and put it in the refrigerator.
to thinly cover the whole surface of something with something soft or liquid: coat something with/in something: · A special machine coats the nuts with chocolate.
to criticize someone or something unfairly to criticize things that are wrong with someone or something, especially small and unimportant things: · No-one enjoys working for a boss who always finds fault with their work.find fault with somebody for something: · The report found fault with the police department for its handling of the case.
especially British, informal to criticize small details in someone's ideas or plans - use this about someone who seems to be deliberately looking for problems and mistakes: · As soon as she stopped talking, Janet's colleagues began to pick holes in the idea.
to criticize someone, their work, or their performance in an unfair and annoying way: · It's hard to knock Gordon because he always works so hard.· Critics knocked his latest film for its portrayal of women.don't knock it!: · Hey, don't knock it! It's the only suit I've got!
to make someone feel unimportant or stupid especially by criticizing them in public: put down somebody: · Television programs always seem to put down people from the South.put somebody down: · She enjoys putting me down in front of other people.
British informal to criticize someone, especially in a nasty and unfair way: slag off somebody: · She spent the whole evening slagging off her ex-boyfriend.slag somebody off: · When the team isn't winning everyone starts slagging them off.
informal to make nasty remarks about someone when that person is not there: · People in our office are always bitching about each other.
informal to keep criticizing someone by making remarks about their behaviour or habits, especially in an unkind or annoying way: · I try not to take it personally -- he gets at everyone on the team.get at about: · My mother keeps getting at me about the state of my room.
informal the annoying habit of criticizing someone about unimportant details, especially in someone's work: · I've had enough of your constant nit-picking. Why can't you say something encouraging?
to make someone stop liking a person, thing, or activity informal to stop someone from liking or being interested in someone or something: · Don't let her put you off, it's a really good movie.· When you know an artist used to abuse his wife and children it does tend to put you off his work.· That weekend put me off camping for the rest of my life!· When she told me she worked in an abattoir it rather put me off her.
to deliberately change someone's feelings, so that they stop liking someone that they used to like: · My ex-wife is trying to turn the children against me.· Brenda even tried to turn my sister against me.
to disturb someone so that they cannot continue what they are doing to stop someone when they are working, talking, or having a meeting, especially because you want to ask a question or tell them something: · Sorry to disturb you, but could I ask a quick question?· Try not to disturb your dad - he's working.· Before closing the door to his office, he told his secretary that he was not to be disturbed.
to stop someone when they are working, talking, or having a meeting, especially because you want to ask them a question or tell them something: · Don't interrupt - I haven't finished yet.· I'm sorry to interrupt your meeting, but may I speak with Michael for a moment?· While I was giving my report, some guy in the back kept interrupting me every two minutes.
to disturb someone who is doing something, especially in a way that is annoying: · Will you stop bothering me? I'm trying to watch a program.· Sorry to bother you, but could you help me one more time with the copier?· Don't bother Ellen while she's reading.
to stop someone who is trying to work, study, or read, by making them look at or listen to something else: · Don't distract your father while he's driving.· The couple behind us kept distracting everyone by talking during the movie.· I was distracted by the sound of a car alarm in the street.
British to make it difficult for someone to do something, by preventing them from paying attention and thinking clearly about what they are doing: · Seles couldn't concentrate on the game - the photographers were putting her off.
to disturb someone so that they forget what they were thinking about: · The phone rang, breaking my train of thought.· I sat very still, not wanting to break her train of thought.
to move something down or let it move down if you drop something that you are holding, it suddenly falls from your hands, especially accidentally: · You've dropped your handkerchief.· Be careful not to drop that bowl, it's very valuable.drop something onto/on/in something: · I nearly dropped my glass on the floor when they said I'd won.
if you put an object down , you put it on the ground or another surface; if you put your hand, head etc down , you move it into a lower position: · Put the gun down.· OK, you can all put your hands down now.
to move an object or your body into a lower position: · We need to lower the mirror in the bathroom.lower your head/arms/body: · Lowering its head, the bull charged at him.lower something into/onto/over etc something: · The coffin was lowered slowly into the ground.lower yourself into/onto something (=sit down slowly and carefully): · The old man lowered himself wearily into his chair.
what you say when you are going to explain something spoken say this when you are explaining something to someone, and you want to check that they are listening and that they understand you: · This fits on here, see, where the arrow is.· Simon's car broke down, you see, and neither of us knew how to fix it.
spoken say this when you are explaining something you have said or giving an example of something: · Ted seems kind of lazy. I mean, he never offers to help and he just lies in front of the TV.what I mean (to say) is: · I'm afraid I can't help you. What I mean is that I'm not a detective, and I don't solve crimes.
use this when you are saying something in a different way in order to explain it more clearly: · What we need is a more sustainable transport system, in other words, more buses and trains, and fewer cars.· This is supposed to be a democracy - in other words, one person one vote.
spoken use this when you are explaining a problem or the reason for something: · I really don't want to leave yet. The thing is, I have an appointment in 15 minutes.· I do have a computer, but the thing is, it's really old and I can't use it for email.
use this to explain the meaning of the previous word or phrase by giving more information about it: · The fare is reduced for children, that is, anyone under 15 years old.· All documents are printed in the two official languages - that is, English and French.
spoken say this when you want to explain something to someone because you think they have not understood: · I can see you're getting confused. Let me explain.· I know the plan seems a little crazy at first, but it's really not. Let me explain.
used when you have explained something in one way and you are going to try to make it clearer by explaining it in a different way: · Money makes money. To put it another way, the more you invest, the greater your potential profit will be.· The problem demands a global solution. To put it another way, local regulations will have very little effect.
spoken say this when someone is not sure what you mean and you are going to try to explain in a way that will help them to understand, especially by saying something humorous or direct: · "Does he get many dates?" "Put it like this - you don't have to feel sorry for him."· Put it this way, honey - what the boss doesn't know isn't going to bother him.
spoken used when you are going to use different words to say something again, because you have just said it in an unsuitable way and it may not have been understood correctly: · I'm sorry, let me rephrase that. That wasn't what I meant to say at all.· Most of the people there were incredibly old. Let me rephrase that - we were the youngest couple there.
to become fatter to get fatter and heavier: · John's put on a lot of weight recently, hasn't he?put on 5 kilos/2 lbs etc: · I put on several pounds while I was on holiday, so now I'm on a strict diet.
to become fatter and heavier, especially until you reach the weight you should be: · When I was young, I could eat all I wanted without gaining weight. gain 2 kilos/4 lbs etc: · Ben's gained at least five kilos since he was born.
to start getting fatter after being too thin: · Gerry was terribly thin when he came out of hospital, but he's filled out a lot since then.· Sue looks much healthier now and her face has started to fill out.
to stop a fire from burning to make a fire stop burning: put out the fire/blaze/flames: · It took firefighters four hours to put out the blaze.put something out: · She threw sand on the fire to put it out.
formal to stop a fire burning: · He managed to extinguish the flames with his coat.· It took several hours to extinguish the blaze.
to make a flame or fire stop burning by blowing on it: blow out a candle/match/fire etc: · He blew out the candle and went to sleep.blow something out: · We tried to light a fire but the wind kept blowing it out.
to cover a fire with something in order to stop it from burning: · If the victim's clothes are burning, use a blanket to smother the flames.
to force someone to do something · You don't have to come if you don't want to. Nobody's forcing you.force somebody to do something · Women's organizations are trying to force the government to appoint more women to senior positions.force somebody into doing something · Her parents are trying to force her into marrying a man she hardly knows.force somebody into something · I had never thought of buying an insurance policy, and I wasn't going to be forced into it by some young salesman.force somebody out of · Eddie feels that he was forced out of his job in order to make way for a younger man.
to force someone to do something that they do not want to do. Make is less formal than force: · I really didn't want to go, but she made me.make somebody do something: · I wanted to watch the film, but Dad made me do my homework.· Karen made him promise never to discuss the subject again.
to keep trying to persuade someone to do something, for example by saying that it is their duty or that it will help other people: put pressure on somebody to do something: · Our parents were putting pressure on us to get married.· Advertising puts pressure on parents to work long hours, in order to buy things that their children don't need.
also pressurise British, /pressure American to try to make someone do something by persuading them very strongly and making them feel that they should do it: · I'll get this done as soon as I can -- just don't pressure me, OK!· If she feels you're trying to pressurize her, she won't do it.pressurize/pressure somebody into doing something: · School children are often pressurized into studying very hard from an early age by their parents.· The committee pressured him into resigning.pressure somebody to do something: · Her boyfriend is pressuring her to have an abortion.
to strongly encourage someone to do something: push somebody to do something: · My parents keep pushing me to get a good job.push somebody into doing something: · Don't let them push you into a making a decision before you're ready.push somebody into something: · Are you sure you want to marry me? I don't want to push you into anything.
to force someone to do what you want them to do by repeatedly asking them to do it until they finally agree: · The salesman tried browbeating me but it didn't work.browbeat somebody into (doing) something: · The miners were browbeaten into working in a part of the mine that the company knew to be dangerous.· I really didn't want to make this speech -- I was browbeaten into it by my colleagues.
an attempt to force someone to do something, by making them feel guilty for not doing it: · She's always using emotional blackmail and playing on other people's feelings.· Any relationship that has to depend on emotional blackmail can't be a healthy one.
informal if someone is breathing down your neck about something, they keep asking you to do it in order to make you do it sooner: · I'm already really busy today, and now Paul's breathing down my neck saying he wants the Paris deal completed.have somebody breathing down your neck: · We'd better start sending out those letters soon -- I've had the sales manager breathing down my neck about it all week.
informal to be trying to make someone do something they do not want to do, especially by telling them several times to do it: · Nick knew that the coach would be on his back if he missed another training session.be on sb's back about: · Aunt Mimi was always on his back about him "wasting time playing that silly guitar".
to try not to think about something to deliberately try not to think about something sad or unpleasant: · I've been trying not to think about her but my friends won't let me forget.· a war the country was trying to forget· Years after they had gotten divorced, Olivia found it very difficult to forget John.forget (that): · Forget I mentioned it. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.forget about: · We can forget about the accident now and concentrate on getting on with our lives.
to try to make yourself stop thinking about something that makes you angry, sad, or nervous: · It's time to put her out of your mind and find a new girlfriend.· I was nervous about flying for the first time but I tried to put it out of my mind.
to try not to think about something sad or unpleasant that happened in the past so that you can continue with your life and try to be happy: · Try and put the incident behind you and get on with normal life.· The team have put last night's loss behind them and are looking forward to next week's game.
if an activity takes your mind off a worrying problem, it makes you not think about it for a short time: · Joe suggested a game of cards to take my mind off things.· Staying busy helped keep his mind off his troubles.
to guess something to give an answer or decide that something is probably true, when you do not know enough to be definitely sure: · Are you sure Linda's pregnant, or are you just guessing?· I'm only guessing, but I should think their house is worth over a million.· I didn't know all the answers so I just had to guess some of them.guess who/what/how etc: · Guess who I saw in town yesterday.· Guess how much I paid for this watch!guess at: · We can only guess at the cause of the crash.guess (that): · Sally guessed that he had been drinking for most of the afternoon.· Detectives guess the attacker must be aged from 25 - 30.
to guess something, especially when you are trying to answer a question or explain how something might have happened: · I've no idea where I lost the keys. I couldn't even make a guess.make a guess at/about/as to: · It's possible to make a guess at who the woman in the story might be.
British /take a guess especially American to guess an answer, amount, or number - use this especially when you are telling someone to do this: · "How much rent do you pay for your apartment?" "Take a guess."have a guess at: · Have a guess at the answer, then check it with your calculator.
to say how much something will cost, how many of something there are etc, partly by calculating and partly by guessing: estimate (that): · Police estimate that over 10,000 people took part in the demonstration.estimate something at $350/£400 etc: · His personal fortune is estimated at £150 million.· The mechanic estimated the cost of repairs at $350.estimate how much/how many etc: · Can you estimate how much fabric you will need for the curtains?
: put the cost/the value/somebody's age etc at something to guess that the cost, value etc is a particular amount without trying to be very exact: · I'd put her age at around 35.· The cost of the war was put at more than $10 billion.
to think about or discuss something in order to guess what its causes or results might be: · We don't know why the prehistoric stone circles were built. We can only speculate.speculate about/on/as to: · Edward began to speculate on what life would be like if he were single again.· People have been speculating about interstellar flight for years.
to hide your feelings to deliberately not show what you are feeling or thinking: · He hides his real feelings under that big smile.· "That's OK," she said, trying to hide her disappointment.hide something from somebody: · I tried to hide my anxiety from the rest of the family by pretending that everything was normal.
to not show in your face, voice, or movements what you really think or feel: · If she was surprised, she didn't show it.· My husband never shows emotion, so I never know if he's upset.
formal to hide your feelings or intentions especially when you have to make an effort to do this: · Kim could barely conceal her annoyance that I had arrived so late.· I yawned, not bothering to conceal my boredom.conceal something from somebody: · Hawkins was incapable of concealing how he felt from his close friends.
to avoid showing your true feelings or intentions by pretending to feel something else: · Kate gave a cheerful smile, somehow managing to disguise her embarrassment.· "That's great!" she cried, unable to disguise her excitement.· He often masked his feelings of guilt by becoming angry at the people he had wronged.
to not allow yourself to show your feelings, especially if you are angry, worried, or upset - use this especially when you think it would be better for someone to show their feelings so they can be dealt with: bottle something up: · It's not healthy to bottle all your feelings up like that.· The anger that he had bottled up inside him finally exploded.keep something bottled up: · She wanted to cry but she kept it bottled up inside.
formal to not allow yourself to feel or show strong feelings such as anger, sadness, or love, especially when you have difficulty controlling these feelings: · She had had to suppress her feelings for George throughout his long marriage to her friend.· Finally Glen could suppress his anger no longer and he lashed out at his mother.
formal to deliberately stop yourself from having or expressing particular feelings, especially because you are ashamed of them, in a way that may have harmful mental effects: · Individuals who repress their sexual desires often suffer from psychological problems.· Denying or repressing sorrow often seems the easiest way out when confronted with death.
to pretend that you are happy or confident when in fact you are very upset about something but you do not want to show this: · When she lost her job she put on a brave face and said it didn't matter.· Most of his teammates put up a brave front when they talked about his departure.put on a brave face/put up a brave front on: · The speech was given to put a brave face on the president's declining popularity.
to make a number or amount increase · High alcohol consumption increases the risk of liver disease. · The Clean Air Act would increase the cost of electric power in the Midwest.· The party aims to increase the number of women elected to Congress.· We reduced the size of the magazine because we didn't want to increase the price.increase something to · The company has increased its workforce to 1,500 employeesincrease something by 20%/$400/1 million etc · a program to increase output by 14%
if someone raises raises a tax, price, temperature etc, they increase it: · The president should take the necessary steps of raising taxes and cutting public spending.· All the major airlines have raised their fares.raise something to $300/40C/200 etc: · The retirement age has been raised to 65 for both men and women.
informal if someone puts up the cost or price of something, they increase it: put up something: · They've put up the price of petrol again.put something up: · A solicitor can advise whether the landlord has a right to put the rent up.· This used to be quite a cheap restaurant but they've put their prices up since the last time I came here.
informal to increase prices or amounts by a large amount, especially when this seems unreasonable: jack something up: · I guess they must jack the price up in the summer, then mark it down in the winter. jack up something: · a proposal that would have jacked up taxi fares by as much as 30%
to make something increase - use this about things you would prefer to keep low, such as costs and prices: push/drive/force up something: · An expansion of the weapons research program is sure to drive up defence costs.· In recent years, increased demand has forced up the price of copper on world markets.push/force/drive something up: · Office vacancy rates have reached a low, pushing rents up sharply for office and industrial space.
to increase something such as production, sales, or wages because they are not as high as you want them to be: · The plan was meant to boost agricultural production.· The multi-million dollar ad campaign has failed to boost sales.· Greater consumer access to the Internet has boosted electronic retailing.
to increase a number or amount by two, three, or four times: · The company has quadrupled Sonia's salary in just three years in recognition of her achievements.· The government doubled the sales tax on cigarettes from 20% to 40%.
also maximise British to make something such as profit, power, or productivity increase to the highest level that you can achieve: · The bank's function is to maximize profits, and that requires some risk-taking.· To maximise power output, solar panels are placed on the highest part of the building.
to keep something so that someone else can use it later to not sell or give something to anyone else, so that someone can have it or use it later: · Let's save some of this pizza for Jill.· I haven't got enough money with me right now. Can you keep the vase for me while I go to the bank?· If you get any foreign stamps, could you save them for me? My nephew collects them.
British informal to keep something for someone until they are able to collect it, pay for it etc: · If I pay you for the chairs now, could you put them by and I'll collect them tomorrow?
if a shop or a company holds something for someone, they keep it until the person can come to buy or get it: · Your tickets will be held at the box office until one hour before the performance.· I got the post office to hold our mail while we were away.
to keep something separate and not use it because someone is going to buy it or use it later: · One of the rooms was set aside for a yoga class.· They didn't have the dress I wanted but said they would put one aside for me when they had a delivery.
to kill an animal · Is it morally acceptable to kill animals for food?· You shouldn't really kill spiders, even if you're frightened of them.· They were so hungry they killed the rest of their livestock that winter.
to kill farm animals, either for their meat or skins, or because they are ill: · The only way to stop the virus spreading is by slaughtering all infected animals.· As part of the ceremony a cow was slaughtered and placed on the stone altar.
to kill an animal in a painless way, especially using drugs, because it is dangerous or in pain: · The Animal Disease Authority decided to destroy the cattle that were infected with the disease.have something destroyed: · The court ordered the owner of the rottweilers to have the dogs destroyed.
British to kill an animal, especially a pet, in a painless way, because it is very old or very ill, or is not wanted: · When our old cat became very sick we had to ask the vet to put her down.· She rescued Sandy from the Animal Shelter the day before he was due to be put to sleep.have something put down/put to sleep: · A blind dog is no use to a shepherd. I'm afraid I'm going to have to have him put down.
to kill a large number of animals, for example in order to stop a disease spreading or to keep the numbers of a particular animal population down: · Over two million sheep have been culled to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease.
to arrange to do something at a later time to change the time when something was planned to happen, and arrange for it to happen later: · Several of today's football games have been postponed because of heavy snow.postpone something until/till something: · They decided to postpone the wedding until Pam's mother was out of the hospital.postpone something for two days/three weeks etc: · In 1968, the Oscar ceremony was postponed for two days, following the assassination of Martin Luther King.
to decide to do something later than you planned to do it or should do it, for example because there is a problem or because you do not want to do it now: put something off/put off something: · I really should go to the dentist, but I keep putting it off.put something off until/till something: · The concert's been put off till next week.put off doing something: · The committee decided to put off making any decision until the new year.
to not do something until something else has happened or until a more suitable time: delay something until something: · He decided to delay his departure until after he'd seen the Director.delay doing something: · The police delayed making any announcement until the girl's relatives had been contacted.
if an event is pushed back , someone arranges for it to be held at a later time or date than originally planned: be pushed/moved/put back to: · The meeting has been put back to next Thursday.
to decide to do or deal with something at a later time, especially because there is a problem or because you have more important things to deal with immediately: · We're going to have to put our plans on ice until we can raise some more money.· I've put my acting career on the back burner for a while, while I concentrate on my writing.
to delay doing something that you ought to do, usually because you do not want to do it - used especially to show disapproval: · He hesitated and procrastinated for weeks before he finally told her he wanted their relationship to end.procrastinate about/over: · Certain players are procrastinating over their contracts in order to see how much money they can squeeze out of their clubs.
to be too modest to tell people that you are less good, skilful etc than you really are: · He puts himself down, but he's really very gifted.· You know you're a good teacher. Don't run yourself down all the time.
informal to not tell people enough about your skills, ability etc, especially in a situation where other people are deciding whether to offer you a job or choose you for something: · If you sell yourself short at the interview, you'll never get the job. Let them know how good you are.· You're brilliant at tennis - don't sell yourself short.
to believe that you are less clever, good, skilful etc than you really are: · Don't underestimate yourself -- you can easily win.· I think you underestimate yourself when you say you couldn't cope with a job like this.
to put money into a business, in order to make money to let a company, business, or bank use your money for a period of time, especially because you expect that you will get back more money than you gave: · I want to invest the money my aunt left me.· The Singapore government is interested in investing abroad.invest in: · Investing in property is no longer as safe as it used to be.· Shares in CMG Information, which invests in Internet-related businesses, declined sharply in the spring.invest £300,000/$400/money etc in something: · I invested £5000 in my brother's printing business.invest heavily (=give a lot of money): · He had invested heavily in risky assets like junk bonds.
to give money to a company or business in order to help that company develop and be successful, especially because you expect that you will make a profit: · Home-owners who put their money into building society accounts could be losing thousands each year.· The biggest bonus is that KPBS didn't have to put any capital into the project.· The plan calls for each company to put in $100 million toward the new car plant.
someone who puts money into a business, company, or bank in order to make a profit in the future: · Having made the initial payment, the investor need make no further effort.foreign investor: · Foreign investors have shown considerable interest in the venture.· Most of the venture funds have come from foreign investors.small investor (=someone with a small amount to invest): · Our financial consultants can advise the small investor.· The British Gas sale attracted 4.5 million applications from small investors.
someone who supports a business plan by giving or lending money: · Things became even more difficult when one of his principal backers went bankrupt.financial backer: · The directors closed the company after the financial backers pulled out of the operation.
to provide money to help someone do something also subsidise British if a government or other organization subsidizes something, it pays part of the cost: · Many companies subsidize meals for their workers.· a government-subsidized health service· The city council subsidizes the local orchestra.
if a company sponsors something such as sports event, a theatre, or an art show, it provides some of the money that is needed, often as a form of advertising: · The new league will be sponsored by Pepsi Cola.· The bank is sponsoring an art exhibition.
to provide all the money needed to pay for something, especially an important or expensive plan: · Both schools and industry will be involved in funding the new training projects.· a charity funded by private donations· The state should fund the arts for the benefit of us all.
informal to provide the money for something such as a business or a plan: · The competition is being bankrolled by a New York businessman and computer enthusiast.· Ed Bass, a millionaire from Texas, bankrolled the Biosphere project.
to provide the money needed for something and agree to take responsibility and pay any debts if it fails: · The British government has agreed to underwrite the project with a grant of £5 million.· The venture was underwritten by several companies.
to provide some of the money needed to start or continue in business, hoping that you will get more money back if the business is successful: · Small investors and large companies have both put money into the exhibition.· He put all his money into a dotcom company that later failed.
to provide the money needed to pay for something, especially by doing something to earn or collect that money: · The government uses money from taxes to finance higher education.· She gave swimming lessons to finance her stay in Australia.· It's a great show, but he can't find anyone to back it.· The bank is eager to back business ideas by local people.
to provide a lot of money over a period of time to pay for something, especially something that will later be unsuccessful: · Many biotech companies are not yet profitable, as they continue to pour money into research and trials.
to provide a lot of money for something, especially government money - use this when you do not think that this is the best way of solving a problem or improving a situation: · The way to solve the education crisis is not necessarily to throw money at it.· The Republicans see him as a liberal whose only solution to the nation's problems was to throw money at them.
to arrange and perform a show, concert, play etc to arrange and perform in a show, concert, play etc: put on something: · The students are putting on an end of term concert.· A special show is being put on to raise money for famine victims in Africa.
to arrange and perform a show, concert, play etc especially one that needs a lot of planning and organization and costs a lot of money: · It cost thousands of pounds to stage the concert, including performers' fees and the hire of equipment.· They staged a magnificent production of "Aida" in the amphitheatre.
informal to arrange and perform a show, concert, play etc: · We're doing "The Merchant of Venice' at the local theater for two weeks.· I've done dozens of shows in the north of England, and the audiences were great!
if an organization such as a theatre presents a show, concert, play etc it provides the money and arranges for it to be performed: · The National Theatre is presenting "King Lear' later this month.· This evening PBS presents the first part of a six-part historical drama about the Civil War.
to persuade someone to do something to make someone agree to do something, by giving them reasons why they should do it: · Neil didn't want to come at first, but we persuaded him.persuade somebody to do something: · I tried to persuade his ex-girlfriend to talk to him, but she said no.· Teachers need ways to persuade more parents to attend parent-teacher evenings.persuade (that): · He was convicted of the murder, but he is still trying to persuade the public that he's innocent.
things that you say in order to persuade someone to do something: · They hope to end the conflict using persuasion rather than threats.persuasion to: · The Republican leader used every means of persuasion to get senators to vote against the bill.take persuasion: · It took a lot of persuasion to get Dad to agree to the idea.gentle/friendly persuasion (=persuading someone without using threats): · Until the law was passed, the agency could only use gentle persuasion to get industries to reduce waste.powers of persuasion (=skills used for persuading): · The fate of the bill in Congress will depend on Brady's powers of persuasion.
informal to make someone do what you want them to do, especially by trying to persuade them over a long time: · I'm sure I can get Eddie to do it.· My girlfriend is always trying to get me to stop smoking.· Parents learn ways to talk to and carry a baby to get it to stop crying.
to affect what someone decides to do, but without directly persuading them: · I hope you weren't influenced by anything that your brother said.· Do TV programs influence children's behaviour?· Judges should not be influenced by political motives.
to try to persuade someone to do something, because you think it will be good for them: encourage somebody to do something: · Her parents encouraged her to cook and even paid her to make dinner twice a week.· Patricia encouraged me to apply for the job.· We want to encourage more children to use the library.
informal to persuade someone to do something that they do not want to do: talk sb into doing something: · I managed to talk them into paying me more money.· Officers said they tried to talk Wilson into leaving the bar, but he started to struggle.talk somebody into it: · I didn't really want to go to the party, but Dave talked me into it.
to persuade someone to do something wrong or stupid, especially when they would not have thought of doing it themselves: · We want to know why they did it and if anyone put them up to it.· Did someone put you up to this?
to persuade someone not to do something to make someone decide not to do something, by giving them reasons why they should not do it: · Catherine persuaded him not to resign.· The program hopes to persuade school children not to try smoking or drugs.
to talk to someone about something they are planning to do, and persuade them not to do it: talk somebody out of something: · I nearly cancelled the wedding, but my best friend talked me out of it.· Police officers talked a man out of a suicide jump off the bridge.talk somebody out of doing something: · Her father talked her out of studying history because he thought she would hate it.
to stop someone wanting to do something, by making them think that it will be difficult or unpleasant: · We need to discourage the use of cars for short journeys.· Leave the lights on when you're out in order to discourage burglars.discourage somebody from doing something: · Girls are sometimes discouraged from studying subjects like engineering and physics.
informal to make someone lose interest in something that they want or were thinking of doing, by making it seem difficult or unpleasant: · I'm not going to be put off by his threats.put somebody off doing something: · A lot of people are put off becoming teachers by the long hours and the low pay.
written to make someone decide not to do something by making them realize that it will be difficult or dangerous or will have unpleasant results: · The new alarm system should deter car thieves.deter somebody from doing something: · The unpleasant taste the drug produces is used to deter alcoholics from drinking.
to try hard to persuade someone also pressure American to keep trying to persuade someone to do something by using threats or unfair influence: · Threats of dismissal were intended to put pressure on the strikers.· Some of the girls started having sex mainly because their boyfriends were pressuring them.put pressure on somebody to do something: · Her parents put pressure on her and her boyfriend to get married.pressure somebody to do something: · Residents are pressuring the mayor to let them manage their own housing association.
informal to use threats or influence to persuade someone to do something: · If the US wants to get South American governments to lean on drug growers, it'll have to be prepared to offer something in return.lean on somebody to do something: · New members have been leaning on Senate leaders to make some changes.
informal to persuade someone to do something they have said they do not want to do - use this humorously when the person will really enjoy what you have persuaded them to do: · I'm sure he would never have come if I hadn't twisted his arm a little.· "Go on, have another drink." "Oh well, if you twist my arm."
to praise someone or something to say that you admire someone or approve of something good that they have done: · Fire chiefs praised a 10-year-old girl who saved her brother's life yesterday.praise somebody for something: · Local people were praised for their calm response to the crisis.highly praised: · His column was a regular and highly praised feature of the newspaper.
to tell someone that you are pleased or impressed because they have achieved something special: · I would like to congratulate all the prizewinners.congratulate somebody on (doing) something: · The President congratulated him on winning the title.· I wrote a letter congratulating him on his appointment.congratulate somebody for (doing) something: · The committee is to be congratulated for presenting its findings in such an informative manner.
to tell someone that you like the way they look or that you are pleased with something that they have done: · She blushed when men complimented her.compliment somebody on something: · Everyone complimented me on my new hairstyle.
to say good or approving things about a person or their achievements: · Peter is always very complimentary about your work.· She was actually highly complimentary about you.
if you say good things about someone, you praise their abilities, usually in their work: · People are saying really good things about you -- that you are well-trained, are thorough, conscientious...
to praise someone or their work because you admire them: · I'm so pleased to meet you -- my wife has always spoken very highly of you.· All her former clients speak highly of her legal skills.
to praise someone publicly, especially to show respect for them and what they have achieved: · John Motum, presenting the trophy, paid tribute to the players and coaches.· Friends of the actor paid tribute to his talent and expressed shock as news of his death became public.
if someone puts in a good word for you with someone in a position of authority, they praise you to them, especially in order to help you to get a job or to avoid punishment: · The producers told me later that I got the job because Paul put in a good word for me.put in a good word for somebody with somebody: · Can you put in a good word for me with your colleagues on the council?
to change your way of speaking or behaving in order to impress people to speak or behave in a way that is not your usual way of speaking or behaving.: be putting it on: · He wasn't really drunk. He was just putting it on.put on something: · Whenever the boss is around she puts on this sick little smile.put on an accent: · Valerie put on a posh accent and asked to see the manager immediately.
someone who is affected is not natural or sincere because they are trying to make people think they are better than they really are: · I can't bear him -- he's so loud and affected.· That stupid affected laugh of hers really annoys me.· She treated her guests with an affected politeness.
formal to behave or speak in a way in which you do not usually behave or speak, especially so that you look more confident or feel better: · When socializing with his co-workers he would assume a hearty, over-bearing manner.· Assuming a carefree air, Luke picked up his jacket and walked to the door.
a person or their behaviour that is artificial is not natural or sincere, because they are pretending to be something that they are not: · Carter was saying all the right things, but his smile was artificial, and I knew I couldn't trust him.· On the surface she seems quite a pleasant woman, but there's something very artificial about her.
to cause extra work or inconvenience for someone to cause problems for someone by making them do something that is inconvenient for them: · Would I be inconveniencing you if I arrived about ten thirty?· The builders promised the Browns that they would not be inconvenienced for more than two days.cause inconvenience for somebody: · It was weeks before a decision was made, which caused inconvenience for everyone.cause somebody inconvenience: · If you don't remember your password, you'll cause yourself a lot of inconvenience.
to make someone have to do something that is inconvenient for them by asking them to do something for you: · Are you sure you don't mind picking the children up from school? I don't want to put you out.· I hope I'm not putting you out, but I need someone to stay in the office at lunchtime today.
to cause someone problems or more work than usual: · I didn't want to trouble you - you have your own problems.· She doesn't want to trouble you by asking lots of questions.
to make someone spend a lot of time or use a lot of effort in doing something for you: · We've put her to a lot of trouble. Why don't we get her some flowers?· I don't want to put you to any trouble.
to think that something happens because of something else to say or believe that one thing happens because of something else, when you are not completely sure that this is true: · When Charlie became ill, I was inclined to put it down to the pressures of his job.· No one was injured, and US officials put the incident down to "high spirits".
formal to say that someone or something is responsible for a situation or event - use this in official contexts: · The management attributed the success of the company to the new Marketing Director.· 1150 deaths a year can be attributed to drunk driving.
to say something to say something using spoken or written words: · "I must be going," she said.· "Where's Pam going?" "I don't know. She didn't say."· It says in today's paper that gas prices are going up again.say (that): · James wrote to the bank and said we needed a loan.· Did Peter say that he would be late?say what/where/why etc: · Did they say how long the operation would take?say hello/sorry/no etc (to somebody): · Lauren came over to say goodbye to us.· I asked Dad if he'd lend me some money, but he said no.say something to somebody: · What did you say to her?something/anything to say: · I couldn't think of anything to say.say so: · If there's anything you're not happy about, please say so.
to make the sound of a word or a part of a word in a particular way - use this also to ask or say what is the correct way to say something: · How do you pronounce your name?· Some students find it difficult to pronounce the word "the".· Words like 'chicken' and 'cheese' were once pronounced with a 'k'.
to talk about someone or something, but without giving details or saying very much about them: · He mentioned something about a party, but he didn't say when it was.· When I mentioned her name, he looked embarrassed.mention (that): · I forgot to mention that I won't be in tomorrow.mention where/when/who etc: · Did he mention where he went to school?it is worth mentioning that: · It is worth mentioning that young children are particularly vulnerable to accidents in the home.
to tell someone something that they had not noticed or had not thought about: · As Sharon pointed out, the story was rather hard to believe.point out something: · He pointed out the dangers of setting off without the right equipment.point out (that): · It's worth pointing out that very few people ever die of this disease.point something out: · He never used to notice when people took advantage of him, so I started pointing it out.
to let someone know your feelings, by putting them into words: · Ollie found it hard to express his feelings about the war.· Parents have expressed concern about the amount of violence in some children's shows.express yourself (=make people understand what you are thinking or feeling): · Young children often find it difficult to express themselves in words.
to express an idea in a particular way, choosing your words carefully to explain what you mean simply or clearly: put it another way: · If you don't understand, I'll try and put it another way.to put it bluntly/briefly/simply etc: · Their performance was, to put it bluntly, atrocious.put it this way spoken (=use this when you are trying to say something in the clearest possible way): · Put it this way: if we don't make a profit, we're out of a job.
to say what your opinion is about someone or something that you have seen, heard, or read about: · "He only wears those clothes to prove that he's rich,'' commented Harold.· Journalists asked General Curran how the campaign was going, but he refused to comment.comment on/upon: · The prime minister was asked to comment on the crisis.comment that: · Some critics have commented that the film lacks originality.
to say what you have noticed about a particular person, situation etc or to express an opinion about them: · "There's a strange smell in here,'' she remarked.remark that: · Kate remarked that it was amazing how much her kids knew about science.remark on (=notice something and then say something about it): · A lot of our customers remark on the quality of our workmanship.
to say something more, after what has already been said or written: · Is there anything you'd like to add, Peter?· ''Finally'', she added, ''I would like to thank my family for their support''.add that: · I should add that I do not agree with Doctor Mitchell.
to make a cigarette, pipe etc stop burning to make a cigarette, cigar, or pipe stop burning: put out something: · Bill put out his pipe and stood up to leave.put something out: · Put that cigarette out at once!
formal to put out a cigarette, cigar, or pipe - used especially in official notices or announcements: · Passengers are requested to extinguish all cigarettes when the red light goes on.
to put out a cigarette by pressing the end of it against something: stub out something: · She nervously stubbed out her cigarette, and immediately lit another one.stub something out: · He smoked three cigarettes and stubbed them out in his saucer.
to successfully deal with a problem · They thought money would solve all their problems.· The roof used to leak but last week I fitted some new tiles and that seems to have solved the problem.· The government is to launch a new building programme in an attempt to solve the housing crisis.
to think of a way to solve a problem, especially a complicated political or social problem: · Crime is rapidly increasing in our inner cities. We must find a solution.· Civil war seems increasingly likely unless the government comes up with a solution.find/come up with a solution to: · European governments are working together to find a solution to the problem of nuclear waste.
formal to successfully deal with a problem or unpleasant situation so that it no longer exists: · Talking is the only way to resolve your differences.· It is difficult to see how this conflict can be resolved without taking the matter to court.
to deal with an unsatisfactory situation, especially by making sure that any damage that has been caused is paid for, removed, stopped etc: put something right: · There seems to be something wrong with the computer but we hope to put it right before too long.· If there is bullying in the classroom, it is the teacher who should put the problem right.put right something: · This government intends to put right everything that the last government did wrong.
to permanently solve a practical problem so that it does not happen again: · If your computer stops working, re-booting might cure the problem.· Beveridge believed that unemployment could be cured by state intervention.
to deal with an unsatisfactory situation, especially an unfair one, so that the situation no longer exists or is greatly improved: · There have been several tragic rail accidents. The government must act quickly to remedy this situation.· Equal rights for women were necessary to remedy the injustices done to them over the centuries.
to remove any problems or difficulties from a situation, especially before doing something else: sort something out: · I'm afraid I can't help you until I've sorted my own problems out.sort things out: · There's been a serious misunderstanding; I'll try to sort things out and then I'll phone you back.sort out something: · You can't possibly start decorating yet. We haven't sorted out the roof yet.get something sorted out: · I want to get everything sorted out before I leave.
British informal to successfully deal with a problem: · Don't worry about the money. I'll sort it, OK?· You should be able to sort this without my help.
to remove any small problems or difficulties before you start something, especially by discussing them, so that they do not cause problems later: iron something out: · We need to iron a few things out before we move in together.iron out something: · We decided it was best to iron out our differences at an early stage in the production.
to spend time working · She usually ends up putting in several extra hours work at weekends.· When I'm preparing for a tournament I put in thirty or forty hours of training a week.
to spend a long time working hard at a particular thing, especially something important: · He's decided to give up racing and devote all his time to his farm in Ireland.· She intends to devote the next ten years to her charitable work.
to make an event less enjoyable or successful · The bad weather completely spoiled our holiday.· Why did you have to invite Jerry? You've spoiled the whole weekend.· This was her moment of glory, and she wasn't going to let anyone spoil it.spoil something for somebody · She wanted to do her own thing, but was afraid of spoiling Christmas for the rest of the family.spoil things · He got very drunk that evening, and seemed determined to spoil things for all of us.
to completely spoil an event or occasion, with the result that no-one enjoys it: · How can you prevent stomach upsets from ruining your holiday?ruin something for somebody: · John and Sandy argued all the time, which completely ruined the evening for the rest of us.
if something unpleasant such as an argument or accident mars a big or important event, it makes it less enjoyable or less successful: · Outbreaks of fighting and lawlessness marred the New Year celebrations.· The race was marred by a horrific accident involving Niki Lauda.
if bad news, bad weather etc puts a damper on something, especially on a social event such as a party, it spoils people's enjoyment of it: · The bad news put a damper on the celebrations.· Torrential rain put a damper on the event, sending bedraggled guests squelching across lawns to seek shelter.
if something casts a shadow over an event, period of time etc, it makes people feel less happy or hopeful because they are worrying about it: · The threat of war cast a shadow over the summer of 1939.· This argument with Kuroda did, I must admit, cast a shadow over my mood.
to accept an unpleasant situation to accept an annoying situation or someone's annoying behaviour, without trying to stop it or change it: · I don't know how you put up with all this noise day after day.· You see what I have to put up with - the kids never stop arguing.· Well, you put up with the danger and bad conditions, because you need to feed your family.
to accept or be forced to accept an unpleasant situation: · Don't bring me your problems, I've already got as much trouble as I can stand.· There are cats in every room. I don't know how she can stand it.can stand doing something: · I don't think I'll be able to stand sharing an office with Dana.stand another hour/minute/moment etc: · Can you stand another minute of this awful music? Shall I turn it off?
to accept pain or an unpleasant situation that makes you angry, sad, or upset: · My leg really hurts -- I'm not sure how much longer I can bear it.· Talking to a counsellor can help divorcees to bear the pain of separation.· The trial was a great scandal but she bore it all with courage and dignity.be hard to bear: · Her loneliness was hard to bear, after her husband died.
to accept an annoying situation or someone's annoying behaviour, without trying to stop it or change it. Tolerate is more formal than put up with: · She seems to be able to tolerate any kind of behaviour from the students.· For years, the workers have had to tolerate low wages and terrible working conditions.· If you can tolerate the side-effects, HRT can help the symptoms enormously.
written to accept or be forced to accept a very unpleasant or difficult situation for a long time: · She endured a barrage of open abuse and racism during her time at college.· The people in this country have endured almost a decade of economic hardship.
informal to accept an unpleasant situation or someone's unpleasant behaviour without becoming upset: · I've tried to be understanding, but quite honestly, this is more than I can take.· Tell me what happened -- I can handle it.· Are you going to argue with me, or are you just going to stand there and take it?
to accept an unpleasant situation as a permanent part of your life that you cannot change: · You have to learn to live with stress.· I found the burden of guilt very difficult to live with.· None of us really like the new system, but we've got to learn to live with it.live with yourself (=accept something bad or wrong that you have done): · You should be careful before you do anything rash. Remember, you'll have to live with yourself afterwards.
to be difficult for you to accept: · Every year the Christmas shopping season seems to start earlier, a fact which many people find hard to stomach.· I found this lecture from Chris of all people hard to stomach.
spoken to accept an unpleasant or difficult situation as happily as you can, because you cannot change it: · Well, I said to myself, I'll just have to grin and bear it.· The message was clear - no matter how insulting passengers became, we couldn't do anything but grin and bear it.
to let someone stay in your home especially spoken if you have someone to stay , or have someone staying , they stay at your house for a few days, weeks etc: · I'm busy all next week - I've got people to stay.· Don't plan anything for next weekend because I might be having my sister to stay.· We often had overseas students staying with us over the summer.
especially spoken to let a friend stay in your home for a short time, and provide them with a bed to sleep in: · "Where are you staying?" "Carole's putting us up for a couple of days."· They put me up in the spare room for a few days while I sorted things out.
to offer someone a place to live, especially because they need your help: take in somebody: · For every child we take in, thousands are left to look after themselves on the streets.take somebody in: · When Mary's parents threw her out, my mother took her in.
to make part of your body stick out: stick something out · A woman stuck her head out of the window and told us to come upstairs.· He stuck his lower lip out and frowned.stick out something · He stuck out a hand. 'Hi, I'm Melvyn.'· I stuck out my thumb and caught a ride to Tay Ninh.stick your tongue out (at somebody) (=in order to be rude to someone) · Dan made a face and stuck his tongue out.
to stick part of your body out for a short time from something that it is inside or behind: poke something out: · A young doctor poked his head out, and called me into the examination room.poke out something: · He poked out his tongue and looked at it carefully in the mirror.
to stick a part of your body out of something, especially slowly or carefully: put something out: · He put his head out slowly and looked up the corridor.put out something: · He put out his hands and Officer Johnson clicked on the handcuffs.
to stop opposition to a government to stop people opposing or fighting against the government, by using military force or by making their activities illegal: · The army acted swiftly to suppress the uprising.· Any opposition to the regime is ruthlessly suppressed.· The authorities suppressed publication of the journal.
: put down a revolt/rebellion/uprising etc to stop it by using military force against the people involved: · The uprising was quickly put down.· The rebellion was put down and its leaders were executed.
if the police or army break up something such as an organized protest, they use force to stop it: break up something: · The police were instructed to break up the demonstration and arrest the ringleaders.break something up: · The protest continued peacefully until government troops moved in to break it up.
to take action to stop people behaving in a violent, angry way, especially by using force: · The soldiers managed to subdue the angry crowd.· The army has been used to subdue unrest in the country's capital.
to use severe methods to stop people who are fighting or opposing you: · The rebellion was quickly crushed by forces loyal to the President.· The army is stationed near the capital, ready to crush any signs of a revolt.
especially written to make violent opposition stop by using force when it first starts, before it becomes impossible to control: · Extra police were called in to quell the disturbance.· An anti-government riot was promptly quelled by soldiers using guns and teargas.
to stop something bad or illegal that people are doing · We must take action to stop this illegal trade in ivory.· All the staff are determined to stop bullying in the school.stop somebody from doing something · The new measures are intended to stop troublemakers from travelling abroad to football matches.
to stop an activity, especially one that you consider to be harmful or unacceptable: · Using children in this way is pure exploitation, and it's time we put a stop to it!· She knew that if she didn't put a stop to their squabbling now, it could go on for weeks.
to completely stop an illegal or harmful activity: · The police have introduced new measures to help stamp out violence on the city's streets.· We are determined to stamp out prostitution in this neighborhood.
to take severe action to stop an illegal activity: · The authorities are determined to crack down on terrorism.· Teachers must crack down on bullying as soon as they become aware of it.· Only by cracking down on dealers, can we stop young people getting involved with drugs.
to officially order that an activity should be stopped, especially after it has continued for a long time: · The government has called a halt to the exporting of live animals.· Companies must call a halt to the dumping of toxic waste at sea.
if someone in authority clamps down on an activity or group of people, they take firm action to stop something that is illegal or against the rules: · The new, tougher laws are intended clamp down on the carrying of knives and other weapons.· If we don't clamp down on these troublemakers now, the situation could get out of control.
to prevent something harmful from increasing and start to control and reduce it: · The only way to curb the spread of the disease is by immunizing the entire population.· The government is introducing new measures aimed at curbing inflation.
to make something stop happening or continuing to make someone stop doing something, or make something stop happening: · The referee stopped the fight when one of the boxers was badly injured.· It is now time to stop the war and begin negotiations for peace.· Officials are planning to take court action to stop publication of the book.stop somebody doing something: · I gave my little brother some chocolate to stop him crying.
to stop something, especially so that it never starts again: · An injury like this could put an end to her dancing career.· The outbreak of war put an end to their romance.
to finally and permanently end something that has continued for a long time: bring something to an end: · A treaty was signed which finally brought the conflict to an end.bring to an end something: · There are calls for the Prime Minister to bring to an end the uncertainty about the election date.
to make something stop changing, developing, or progressing: · The government is determined to halt the trade in illegal animal furs.· All his efforts had failed to halt the increase in street crime.
to decide that a planned action or activity should be stopped after it has already started: · The union decided to call off the strike when they were offered a 10% pay rise.· The meeting was called off at the last minute.· The hunt for the missing boy had to be called off because of severe weather conditions.
to stop an activity earlier than was planned, especially because of something unexpected such as illness or bad news: · She was forced to cut short her holiday and return to the UK.· His education was cut short when his father died of a sudden illness.
to stop an action that has been started, because it would be too dangerous to continue: · The mission was aborted after news came of the capture of the city.· The plane had already started its descent when the pilot received orders to abort his landing.
to officially order that something should be stopped, when you intend to let it start again at a later time: · We have decided to suspend all production at the factory until safety checks can be carried out.· All pay increases are to be suspended until further notice.· The trial was suspended after threats were made against witnesses.
informal to stop giving money to a plan or planned business activity so that it cannot continue: · The city council has pulled the plug on the new housing development.· Over 1000 workers lost their jobs when the company pulled the plug on plans to open ten new stores.
to keep prices or wages at the same level and not increase them: · The company has announced that it intends to freeze all salaries for a year.· All government employees have had their salaries frozen at last year's levels.
to make a formal suggestion in a meeting, report etc to formally suggest that something should be done, especially at a meeting: · The Russians proposed a treaty banning all nuclear tests.propose (that): · I propose that we discuss this at the next meeting.
to officially suggest that something should be done, after you have considered the situation carefully: · The report recommends a number of changes in the existing law.recommend that: · The directors are recommending that shareholders accept Baldwin's offer.
to suggest plans, proposals etc, especially in order to start discussions about something that needs to be decided: · The United Nations has put forward a peace plan that it hopes will form the basis for discussions.· Management initially put forward a number of proposals which were wholly unacceptable to the union.
to offer a group something such as a proposal or plan which they can accept or refuse: · The Government has spent £1 million on putting its case to the public.· We're going to put our plans before the committee on Monday and we'll just have to hope that they are approved.
: float an idea/plan etc to suggest an idea, plan etc in order to find out what other people think about it : · The administration had floated the idea of increased taxes on beer, spirits and tobacco.· The following month, David floated the possibility of launching a new TV company.
to offer a proposal, application etc so that an official person or group can consider it and decide whether to accept it: · Applications for planning permission must be submitted before noon tomorrow.submit something to somebody: · We have submitted proposals for a new pay structure to the board of management.
to explain your ideas or plans to an official group so that they can decide whether to accept them: · We shall give you reasonable time to prepare and present your proposals.present something to somebody: · Ms Rogers will present her ideas to the Board at next week's meeting.present somebody with something: · We have been presented with a number of plans and will give careful consideration to all of them.
if an idea or plan is mooted , it is suggested as something that could be done: · The scheme was first mooted two years ago.be mooted for: · A 3,000 house development has been mooted for the disused airfield.
to switch something on to make something start working, for example by pressing a button - use this about things that use electricity, for example lights, televisions, or computers: switch on something: · Will you switch on the television?· I switched on the radio to listen to the news.switch something on: · Do you mind if I switch the light on?· Exhaust fumes come into the car when I switch on the air conditioner.
to make something start working, for example by turning a tap or pressing a button - use this about things that use electricity, gas, or water: turn on something: · He went into the bathroom and turned on the shower.· Use timers to turn on indoor lights while you are away.turn something on: · Do you want me to turn the lights on?
to make a light, radio etc start working: put the light/radio/TV/kettle etc on: · Eva put the kettle on to make a cup of coffee.· Put the light on, then we can see what we're doing.· It was so cold I put the heating back on.
also start up to make a car, engine, machine etc start working: · She started the car and backed slowly out of the garage.· Clean or replace the air filter before attempting to start the engine.
: get a car/engine/machine etc started/going to succeed in making a car etc start after having some difficulty: · I couldn't get my car started this morning.· He rebuilt the engine and finally got it going.· It took the repairman an hour to get the washing machine going again.
to do something to make a piece of equipment that warns you about something start: set off something: · Someone accidentally set off the fire alarm.· Smoke alarms can be set off by smoke from cigarettes, cooking, and fireplaces.set something off: · The alarm is so sensitive that the slightest movement will set it off.
to make a system start operating - use this especially in technical contexts: · The bomb's firing mechanism is activated by a time-clock.· The smoke activated the sprinkler system.
to make a clock, toy, or other machine that does not have a power supply start moving: · Mr Carey wound up the old clock and gently set the pendulum going.· She pulled the lever that set the pump going and waited for the water.
to press a button which makes a machine start: · What happens when you press this button?· Somebody pushed the alarm button.
to pull a large control that switches on the electricity supply to something: · The Speaker of the House threw the switch for the Christmas tree lights in front of the Capitol building.
to switch something off to make something stop working, for example by pressing a button - use this about things that use electricity, for example, lights, televisions, or computers: switch off something: · Always switch off your computer when you've finished.switch something off: · It's OK - I switched the TV off before I went out.
to make something stop working, for example by pressing a button or turning a tap - use this about things that use electricity, gas, or water: turn off something: · Would you turn off the heater before you go to bed?turn something off: · You forgot to turn the oven off!
to make an engine or a machine stop working: · George stopped the engine and got out of the car.· We had to stop the pump and unblock it.
to press a button that makes a machine stop: · If you want it to stop, just press the red button.
to switch a light off: put out something: · Norma put out the light and went to sleep.put something out: · Could you put the lamp out in the bedroom, please?
to make a light stop working by pressing a button: · Don't forget to turn out the lights when you go to bed, okay Annie?
if you shut off or shut down a machine, you make it stop operating: · The computer automatically shuts off the pump when no water is flowing.· The Department of Energy shut down the reactor because of safety considerations.
to remove the thing that connects a piece of electrical equipment to the main electricity supply, so that it is no longer connected to it: · Did you remember to unplug the kettle?· I was getting a lot of crank calls, so I started unplugging my phone at night.
formal to separate a piece of equipment from the main electricity or gas supply so that it is no longer connected to it: · Once a car has started, the engine would continue to run even if you disconnected the battery.
to trick someone and make them believe something that is not true to make someone believe something that is not true, in order to get something from them or make them do something: · I realized then that I had been tricked, but it was too late.· I'm not trying to trick you - just answer the question.trick somebody into doing something: · The old man's sons had tricked him into signing the papers.trick somebody out of something (=take something from someone by tricking them): · A man posing as an insurance agent tricked her out of thousands of dollars.
informal to trick someone: · He was trying to con me, and I knew it.con somebody into doing something: · They conned the school district into buying the property.con somebody out of something (=take something from someone by tricking them): · She conned me out of $50.
especially written to make someone who trusts you believe something that is not true because it is useful for you if they believe it: · This was a deliberate attempt to deceive the public.· Many children's lies are unplanned and not actually designed to deceive.· All through the summer Paula was deceiving her husband while she was seeing another man.deceive somebody into doing something: · Thousands of home buyers were deceived into buying homes at inflated prices.deceive yourself: · If you think that everyone is happy with the plan, you're deceiving yourself.
to make someone believe something that is not true by using a clever but simple trick: · His hairpiece doesn't fool anyone.fool somebody into doing something: · They managed to fool the police into thinking they had left the country.have somebody fooled: · The brothers' act had us all fooled.you can't fool me spoken: · You can't fool me - I know he's already given you the money.fool yourself: · Maybe I was just fooling myself, but I really thought he liked me.
to make people believe something that is not true, by deliberately not giving them all the facts, or by saying something that is only partly true: · The report is a deliberate and obvious attempt to mislead.· They were accused of misleading customers about the nutritional value of their product.mislead somebody into doing something: · Agents are accused of misleading clients into signing up for savings plans that were actually insurance policies.
to trick someone into doing something that they will be punished for or embarrassed by: · He said, following his arrest last fall, that the FBI had set him up.· Terry and Donald think I set them up, but it's all a big misunderstanding.
informal to deceive someone, especially someone who is cleverer than you are, or someone who is not easily deceived: · That's the last time he puts one over on me!· Lawyers claim that the tobacco industry, by failing to tell everything it knew about smoking, was putting one over on its customers.
informal to deceive someone, usually by hiding some facts or information: · Don't try and pull the wool over my eyes - I can tell you've been smoking.· The politicians are just trying to pull the wool over voters' eyes again.
to make someone believe you and trust you, especially by making them think you are romantically interested in them: · I can't tell if he really cares about me or if he's just leading me on?· I didn't mean to lead Cassie on, but I didn't want to hurt her feelings either.
informal to deceive someone, especially so that you can get their money: · I'd already given him £50 when I realized he was taking me for a ride.· After the deal was signed, I felt like I'd been taken for a ride.
to cheat someone you pretended to be helping or working with, especially by helping their enemies: · I'm warning you - if you double-cross me, I'll kill you.· Harry and Danny double-crossed the gang and escaped with all the money.
informal to trick or deceive someone, especially so that they become involved in someone else's dishonest activity without realizing it: · The spies duped government and military officials alike.dupe somebody into doing something: · The perpetrators of the hoax managed to dupe respectable journalists into printing their story.
to move a part of your body upwards · She raised her head and looked at him.· If you want to ask a question, please raise your hand first.· "Oh really?" Zack said, raising an eyebrow.
to raise part of your body such as your arm or your leg, especially carefully or with effort: · Her shoulder muscles had become so weak that she could not lift her arms.lift up something: · It took him a great deal of effort just to lift up his arm a few inches.lift something up: · OK, now lift your right leg up as far as it will go.
to raise your hand or arm: put up something: · I gasped and put up a hand to cover my mouth.· He swore at us and put up his fists as if he was going to punch one of us.put something up: · Rachel put both her hands up to shield her eyes from the sun.
to use particular methods, knowledge, skills etc · Researchers often use questionnaires in their work.· I can't tell you what to do - you must use your own discretion.use something to do something · The nurse must use her communication skills to make the patient feel at ease.· These new techniques are already being used to produce special effects in films.
to use a method, skill, or piece of information that is available to you: · People asked her why she didn't make use of her musical talent and give singing lessons.· We might as well make good use of his expertise while he's here.
to start to use something, especially knowledge or a skill that has not been used before: · Your knowledge of computers can finally be put to use when the office buys a new system next month.· When governments acquire personal information about people they always try to put it to political use.put something to good use: · I finally feel that I can put all my education to good use in this job.
to use something such as a method, idea, or system in a particular situation, activity, or process: apply something to something: · New technology is being applied to almost every industrial process.· You can't apply policies designed for a big country like the United States to a small country like Cuba.apply something to do something: · There are several tests you can apply to find out how old a tree is.
to use your authority, influence etc effectively in order to achieve something: · Parents sometimes need to exercise their authority and say "no" to their children.· The Congress must decide whether to exercise its veto or not.· Many people are exercising their right to leave the state pension plan.
also utilise British formal to use something that is available to you: · Employers must utilize their workers more effectively if the region is to become an economic success.
to use information, knowledge, or experience that you have learned in the past, in order to do something more effectively: · As a teacher, she drew on her knowledge of her own children.· Journalists draw on both published and unofficial information from many different sources.· It was a challenge, but luckily we had the experience to draw on.
to use something as fully and effectively as possible in order to gain as much as possible from it: · Britain consistently fails to exploit the scientific discoveries made in its universities.· The country's natural resources have not yet been fully exploited.
to work hard to work hard when you are doing your job, your schoolwork, or anything that takes time and effort: · Bruno had been working hard in the kitchen all morning.· I wouldn't mind working so hard if they paid us more.
to work hard because you think something is important and you want to do it well: · Stella had obviously put a lot of effort into her assignment, and got a good grade.· The company puts a great deal of effort into training its staff.
to try hard to improve something or to improve the way you do something: · The only way to be successful in athletics is to really work at it.· You should be able to take your music exam in the summer, if you work at it between now and then.
/be hard at it British informal to be working very hard and continuously: · Mike's been hard at it all afternoon and he still hasn't finished mending the car.be hard at work on something: · Since January, Leane's been hard at work on a self-help book on how to launch a business.be hard at work doing something: · They've been hard at work getting the house decorated.
to force yourself to work or train very hard at something: · If you really push yourself, you should get all the work done on time.push yourself hard: · Warm up your body before you start exercising, and avoid pushing yourself too hard or too fast.
British /plug away American informal to work very hard for a long time in a determined way: · American investment bankers are still plugging away, looking for business in developing countries like Thailand, Indonesia, or Malaysia.beaver away on/at: · Haven't you finished? You've been beavering away on that report all morning.
British /labor American formal to work hard, especially doing hard physical work, or doing something difficult or boring: · Sheffield is a city where steel-workers once laboured in their thousands.labour over: · Shipman was seated in his office, labouring over his paperwork, when I came in.labour to do something: · The goal was just what the team needed, at the end of a game in which they had laboured hard to overcome Chelsea.
to write with a pen, pencil, etc to write words or numbers: · By third grade they can all read and write pretty well.· At the bottom he wrote: "with sincere love from your oldest friend".· Over 15 percent of adults have never learned to write.· Helga wrote her comments neatly in pencil .write on/in/at etc: · She quickly wrote the license plate number on her hand.· Hang on, let me just get something to write on.· Write your name at the top of the page.write down something: · I wrote down all the things we have to do today.write something down: · Do you want me to write that down for you?
especially spoken to write something: · I wrote to Marian, but I didn't put anything about Bill being arrested.put something in/on/at etc: · Put your name at the top of each answer sheet.· Just put 'with love from Jason' on the card.
to write down short pieces of information about something, especially in order to remind yourself about what someone said or what was happening: · Did you take any notes at the lecture?· I read the first three chapters and took some notes.
to write down information as soon as you get it, so that you will be able to use it later: · OK, let me make a note of that before I forget it.· Did you make a note of the train times?note down something: · Taking out a pen, she noted down the phone number.note something down: · Colin noted everything down in a little black book.
to write down what someone says, at the same time as they are saying it: take down something/get down something: · A group of reporters was following the Senator, trying to get down every word he said.· Could I just take down your name and address?take something down/get something down: · Do you want me to take all this down?· Before he left, Mark got most of what she'd said down on paper.
to give someone a written agreement, promise, offer etc in order to show them that you are serious about it: · Following an informal discussion, Chris decided to put her proposals in writing.· A deal was made, but apparently nothing was ever put in writing.
to write something using separate letters, in order to make your writing clearer: · Please print your name in block capitals.
the way someone writes with a pen, pencil etc: · I can barely read your writing.· The children spent hours practising their handwriting.
careless and untidy writing that is difficult to read: · What does it say? I can't read your scrawl!
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY Meaning 4adverbs She decided to put the baby up for adoption. Two shots from Gardner put the Giants 80–75 ahead. Troops in the vicinity were put on alert. Could you put this cake aside for me? You must put aside your pride and call her. Philip’s remarks put her in an awkward position (=made it difficult for her to know what to do). He tried to push these uncomfortable thoughts to the back of his mind. To put it bluntly, she’s not up to the job. She fried the chicken and put the vegetables on to boil. The government imposed a ceiling on imports of foreign cars. We put up our home as collateral in order to raise the money to invest in the scheme. Injury has put him out of contention for the title. I’ve put a cross on the map to mark where our street is. He believed that someone had put a curse on the house. Eight years of effort have hardly put a dent in drug trafficking. She was always getting put in detention. At the hospital they put me on a drip. He put the car into first and roared away. He wanted to put their relationship on a permanent footing. We put our watches forward by 2 hours. Jenny didn’t want Adam to see how worried she was. So she put on a brave front. The minister was accused of putting a gloss on the government’s poor performance. Dan put in a good word for you at the meeting. Something in his tone put her on her guard. They put handcuffs on the two men and led them away. I think he’s trying to put a hex on me. Troops were put on high alert. Why don’t you put your hood up if you’re cold? It’s difficult to put an accurate interpretation on (=explain) the survey results. The killings could put the whole peace process in jeopardy. They knew it wasn’t a good time to sell their house, but they still put it on the market (=offered it for sale). This was just his way of keeping me on my mettle. She tidied up the books and put them in neat piles. During the show she managed to put in a plug for her new book. A team of volunteers were putting up posters. It’s difficult to put a price tag on such a project (=say how much it costs). He pleaded guilty and was placed on probation. I’m afraid I have no choice but to put you on probation. All the hospitals are on red alert. Keep your credit cards in a safe place. The Ukrainians put their signatures to the Lisbon Protocol. To put it simply, the tax cuts mean the average person will be about 3% better off. They tried to put a positive spin on the sales figures. This puts the chairman in a very tight spot. A new report has turned the spotlight on the problem of poverty in the inner cities. We can put you on standby. I put a stop on that check to the store. I’ll put it on your tab and you can pay tomorrow. Please hold the line and I’ll put you through. I can put you in touch with a local photography club (=give you their address or phone number so you can talk to them). Emma was putting the finishing touches to the cake. You shouldn’t put your trust in a man like that. It started to rain, so Tricia stopped to put up her umbrella. He was put on a ventilator but died two hours later. I was then put on a waiting list to see a specialist at the local hospital. I put some pictures up on the walls. You’d better put that shirt in the wash. Could you put the washing out (=hang it on a washing line) for me?
· Sorry, I’m not putting it very well.
· Put simply, our aim is to create art.
(=using only a few words)· A Russian economist put it most succinctly: ‘People do not care about carbon.’
(=in a way that is not extreme)· His theory is controversial, to put it mildly.
(=in a direct way that may offend people)· I would put it more bluntly. I think you are wallowing in self-pity.
(=in a way that will not offend people)· He had been drunk, or as Hilton delicately put it, ‘talkative’.
· I didn't agree with her, but she put her argument so cleverly that I was almost persuaded.
phrases· The dress was too small for me, or, to put it another way, I was too big for it.
· Let me put it this way - she's not as young as she was.
· ‘He's been completely irresponsible.’ ‘I wouldn’t put it quite like that.’
(=say what you are feeling or thinking)· She couldn’t put her feelings into words.
(=used before saying something in an indirect or polite way)· Mr Lewis is now – how shall we put it? – hardly the influence he once was.
Meaning 7nouns· I will be putting that very question to her.
· I’ve a proposition to put to you.
· You should put that point to the Chancellor.
· He wanted to put his case to the full committee.
phrases· I put it to him that what we needed was some independent advice.
nouns· She put forward a compromise proposal.
· Both parties have put forward plans for political reform.
· In 1829 he put forward the idea that the Earth is contracting.
· Many theories have been put forward as to the building’s original purpose.
· We should encourage individuals to put forward their views.
· He rejected the arguments put forward by the company’s lawyers.
· A variety of reasons have been put forward to explain these changes.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=deliberately speak with a different accent from your usual one)· When Mum’s on the phone, she puts on a funny accent.
(=start doing something you have planned to do)· She was looking forward to putting her plans into action.· The committee uses the expertise of local organisations to put these ideas into action.
She decided to put the baby up for adoption.· I tried putting an advertisement for lodgers in the local paper.
(=organize them before you go somewhere or die)· I have cancer so I know I’ve got to put my affairs in order.
· This incident has put the issue of racism firmly back on the agenda.
Two shots from Gardner put the Giants 80–75 ahead. (=fill a tyre, balloon etc with air)· I need to put some air in the tyres.
Troops in the vicinity were put on alert.· The company has submitted a planning application.
· I put my arms around Bobby and gave him a hug.
(=arrest someone)
Could you put this cake aside for me? You must put aside your pride and call her. (=try to sell something at an auction) This week 14 of his paintings were put up for auction.
This week 14 of his paintings were put up for auction. Philip’s remarks put her in an awkward position (=made it difficult for her to know what to do). He tried to push these uncomfortable thoughts to the back of his mind.· The government has imposed an outright ban on fox hunting.
· Some kids have erected emotional barriers that stop them from learning.
· She had put new batteries in the radio.
(=put a child in their bed)· I put the baby to bed at 7 o'clock as usual.
· She placed a bet on a horse called Beethoven.
· A big property developer has put in a bid for the land.
(also chuck something in the bin informal)· Shall I put this old bread in the bin?
(also lay/place the blame on somebody written) (=blame someone, especially when it is not their fault)· Don’t try to put the blame on me.· Everyone laid the blame for the crisis on the government.
· Staff managed to put out the blaze before firemen arrived.
To put it bluntly, she’s not up to the job. (=ask the board to consider something)· Their proposals were put to the board.
She fried the chicken and put the vegetables on to boil. (=use the brakes)· Put the brakes on – you’re going too fast.
(also erect a building formal)· They keep pulling down the old buildings and putting up new ones.
· He threatened to put a bullet through my brain.
· This situation places the main burden of family care on women.
(=transfer or make one)· She asked the switchboard to put the call through.
(=suggest someone for election)· He allowed his name to be put forward as a candidate for governor.
(=put forward a candidate)· Any member may nominate a candidate.
· He opened the door, took off his cap, and threw it on a hook.
(=pay by credit card)· I’ll put the restaurant bill on my card.
(=let it or make it go outside)· Can you let the cat out?
· People are individuals and you can’t really put them into categories.
(=play it)· She put on her favourite CD and lay on the sofa.
The government imposed a ceiling on imports of foreign cars. (=stop it burning)· Kit stubbed out her cigarette in the fireplace.
· I told him to get up and put some clothes on.
· Mark stood up and put on his coat.
We put up our home as collateral in order to raise the money to invest in the scheme.· A third goal put Brazil in command of the game.
(=defeat someone so that they are no longer in a competition)· They put us out of the competition in the semi-final last year.
(also stage a concert formal) (=arrange one)· The music club puts on regular concerts throughout the year.
· Lack of funding is putting severe constraints on research.
(=give someone the name, telephone number etc of another person)· I can put you in contact with a friend of mine in Paris.
· The food is then put in special containers.
Injury has put him out of contention for the title. (=consider something in context)· These statistics need to be put into context.
British English (=to arrange to officially join a course)· How about enrolling on a sailing course?
(=to allow someone to treat you badly)· I’m not going to take any more of this crap!
I’ve put a cross on the map to mark where our street is. He believed that someone had put a curse on the house. (=fix new curtains at a window)· She was standing on a ladder hanging some new curtains.
· Firemen put their own lives in danger as part of their job.
(=be killed as a punishment for something you have done)· The rebels were defeated and their leaders put to death.
Eight years of effort have hardly put a dent in drug trafficking. She was always getting put in detention.· His divided loyalties placed him in a dilemma.
(=make someone less likely to be successful than others)· Not speaking English might put you at a disadvantage.
(=go quite a long way from them)· He wanted to put some distance between himself and his pursuers.
At the hospital they put me on a drip.· I forgot to put on my new earrings.
(=try hard to do something)· Let’s try again, only put more effort into it this time.
· We need to put greater emphasis on planning.· The airline is accused of placing more emphasis on profit than on safety.
(=make something end)· A shoulder injury put an end to his baseball career.
· Try to put more energy into your game.
(=organize and provide it)· The organizers laid on some entertainment for the children.
(=say the amount that you think something is)· It is impossible to put an estimate on the value of the manuscript.
· Independent estimates put the number of refugees at 50,000.
(=have an exhibition)· Last summer the museum put on some wonderful exhibitions for children.
· The Conservative party put its faith in the free market.
(also extinguish a fire formal) (=stop a fire burning)· Firemen successfully extinguished the fire.
· Put another log on the fire.
He put the car into first and roared away. (=make them stop burning)· The firemen successfully put out the flames.
He wanted to put their relationship on a permanent footing. We put our watches forward by 2 hours. Jenny didn’t want Adam to see how worried she was. So she put on a brave front.· Dad's just putting the car in the garage.
· He put the car into gear, and they moved slowly forwards.
· He put on his glasses and read through the instructions.
The minister was accused of putting a gloss on the government’s poor performance.· Eleanor put on her gloves and stood up.
Dan put in a good word for you at the meeting. Something in his tone put her on her guard. (=stop something suddenly)· The news put a halt to our celebrations.
They put handcuffs on the two men and led them away.· Why don't you put the heating on if you're cold?
I think he’s trying to put a hex on me. Troops were put on high alert. Why don’t you put your hood up if you’re cold? (=make it available for people to buy)· They put the house on the market and began looking for an apartment.
(=build a house, especially when it seems very quick)· I think they’ve ruined the village by putting up these new houses.
It’s difficult to put an accurate interpretation on (=explain) the survey results.· The government would put him in jail if he stayed in the country.
The killings could put the whole peace process in jeopardy.· I put the key in the lock, but it wouldn’t turn.
(=make someone be in the lead)· Ronaldo’s goal put Portugal in the lead.
· We have to put a limit on the number of participants.
(=risk something bad happening to you) I’ve already put myself on the line for you once, and I’m not going to do it again.
I’ve already put myself on the line for you once, and I’m not going to do it again.· I was put on a waiting list to see a specialist at the hospital.
(also apply make-up formal)· Gloria watched her mother put on her make-up.
They knew it wasn’t a good time to sell their house, but they still put it on the market (=offered it for sale). This was just his way of keeping me on my mettle. (=make a proposal) I’d like to propose a motion to move the weekly meetings to Thursdays.
I’d like to propose a motion to move the weekly meetings to Thursdays. (=put a nappy on a baby)· I put a clean nappy on her half an hour ago.
(=try to stop someone from doing something easily)· Her father put several obstacles in the way of their marriage.
· Decide what points you want to talk about, and put them in order.
(=work overtime)· To earn enough money, he puts in a lot of overtime.
· Don’t put the paint on too thick.
(=be considered by parliament)· The Bill goes before Parliament on November 16.
· Liverpool put in a marvellous performance in the second half.
· This new evidence put a whole new perspective on the case.
(=consider something in a sensible way by comparing it with something else, or to help you do this)· Let's put this data into perspective.· I saw their suffering, and it really put my own problems into perspective.
· I only remembered his name after I had put the phone down.
She tidied up the books and put them in neat piles. (=arrange for it to be performed)· The school puts on a Nativity play every Christmas.
During the show she managed to put in a plug for her new book.· I put the £5 note in my pocket.
(=make people understand it)· I think we got our point across.
· She put poison in his wine.
(=put it somewhere to kill an animal)· One way of getting rid of rats or mice is to put poison down.
· I'm sorry if I put you in an awkward position.
(=put it in a box to be collected)· I put it in the post on Friday, so it should have arrived today.
A team of volunteers were putting up posters.· We’ve decided to set up a campaign to put pressure on the Government.
(=put a lot of pressure on them)· They were put under pressure to sign confessions.
· Manufacturers have had to put their prices up.
It’s difficult to put a price tag on such a project (=say how much it costs).· Mentally ill people should not be put in prison.
He pleaded guilty and was placed on probation. I’m afraid I have no choice but to put you on probation.· They put forward a proposal for a joint research project.
(also make (somebody) a proposition)· A proposition was put to Owen, and he is considering it.· I’m going to make you a proposition.
(=ask a question in a formal situation)· I recently put some of these questions to a psychologist.
· If the banks raise interest rates, this will reduce the demand for credit.
(=end it by force)· Troops moved in to suppress the rebellion.
(=officially say something or write it down)· I wish to put on record my objection to the scheme.
All the hospitals are on red alert. (=make a formal request)· The request was first submitted a number of months ago.· He has put in a request for two weeks' holiday.
(=resist someone or something)· If the rest of us are agreed, I don’t think he’ll put up much resistance.
· The resolution was proposed by the chairman of the committee.
· The authorities placed strict restrictions on diamond exports.
(=end it by force)· The Russians speedily crushed the revolt.
(=defeat someone completely)
Keep your credit cards in a safe place. (=sail a boat away from land)· The refugees put to sea in rickety rafts.
· Put your shoes on and get your coat.
The Ukrainians put their signatures to the Lisbon Protocol. To put it simply, the tax cuts mean the average person will be about 3% better off.· She sat on the bed beside him, putting on her socks.
· The chairman put forward a possible solution.
(=make magic affect someone)· The fairy put a terrible spell on the princess.
They tried to put a positive spin on the sales figures. This puts the chairman in a very tight spot. A new report has turned the spotlight on the problem of poverty in the inner cities. We can put you on standby. (=give a written statement to newspapers, TV etc)· The Russian Foreign Ministry issued a short statement saying the meeting was ‘useful’.
(also erect a statue formal) (=put it in a public place)· They put up a statue of him in the main square.· They should erect a statue to you for doing that.
I put a stop on that check to the store.· Living with my parents put quite a strain on our marriage.
(=say that your success was the result of it)· They put their success down to their excellent teamwork.
· A few suggestions were put forward.
I’ll put it on your tab and you can pay tomorrow.· Before he could respond, she’d put down the telephone.
British English (=to ask different companies to say how much they will charge for doing a particular job) The contract for building the houses will be put out to tender.
The contract for building the houses will be put out to tender. Please hold the line and I’ll put you through. I can put you in touch with a local photography club (=give you their address or phone number so you can talk to them). Emma was putting the finishing touches to the cake.· They should never have been put on trial, let alone convicted.
You shouldn’t put your trust in a man like that. It started to rain, so Tricia stopped to put up her umbrella. (=say how much it is worth)· It’s hard to put a value on something so unusual.
· Our society places a high value on education.
He was put on a ventilator but died two hours later. (=decide something by voting) Let’s put it to the vote. All those in favor raise your hands.
Let’s put it to the vote. All those in favor raise your hands. I was then put on a waiting list to see a specialist at the local hospital. I put some pictures up on the walls. You’d better put that shirt in the wash. Could you put the washing out (=hang it on a washing line) for me? (=make it show a later time)· The passengers were reminded to put their watches forward three hours.
(=make it show an earlier time)· On Saturday night, don’t forget to put your watch back an hour.
(also gain weight formal)· He had put on weight since she last saw him.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· Wives are easily put aside, and the royal princess already looks upon me as a friend.· Certainly, one ought to put aside for retirement more than Social Security.· Hayling added to the confusion by taking away applications from blacks, which were put aside for positive consideration.· There are times when you have to put aside your personal beliefs.· She had put aside her own longings.· When Juliette becomes depressed and finally suicidal, Alex and Marie put aside their jealousies to aid the girl.· She hunted herself, putting aside all those pictures in which she appeared - not as child but as a grown woman.· You must have the money put aside to cover this necessary start-up investment.
· It may be that tougher-looking delinquents are more liable to be put away than fragile looking ones.· If toys are in there, they get put away.· The vehicles are put away again, and the now cold and slightly unappetising evening meal is pushed back into the microwave.· In pre-air-conditioning days, we switched to summer white clothes and put away the area rugs to leave floors bare.· He had put away his Churchill and was reading a new book.· The lessons of Gibbon are put away.· The old sit-up-and-beg bicycle outside the shop is being put away.· Play resumes and Krajicek puts away easy volley.
· When she finally put down the phone, she stared at it for a few seconds longer.· My name was there, the last put down, across from the number nine.· Taheb put down her wine, stood up, and crossed towards him.· They put down sawdust but had insufficient to deal with the flooding to all areas of the factory.· Either Quinn knew just what he was doing or he was going to provoke the kidnapper into putting down the phone.· There was a brief exchange of hoots, and the clothed human put down the tray and went out again.· Do I feel bad, exploited, put down?· Blissfully unaware that I had no obligation to sign any agreement, I put down a ten-pound deposit the same afternoon.
· The volume puts forward the case for a new discipline.· Eventually I shall put forward my own suggestions.· Many proposals have been put forward over more than 100 years.· In fact, the 14-member group will put forward a more philosophical statement.· One influential argument about urban decline has been put forward by Fothergill and Gudgin and their associates.· Councillors commended the scheme put forward by Tilhill Economic Forestry for its design and consideration for sites of archaeological and scientific interest.· Herbert Read in his book Education through Art took up the categories of types put forward by Jung.· Michel Charasse has put forward an amendment which would allow cigarette advertising at the Grand Prix.
· Almost every word has been put in for a purpose and needs to be commented upon.· They put in first at Lemnos, a strange island where only women lived.· Geldings tend to be much wetter, therefore are better put in well drained stables.· And I put in all these doors, see?· Criticised for what actually went into it, now the sausage is singled out for the artificial colouring often put in.· When they put in for repairs at Genoa and encounter Deronda at the hotel, she hopes to speak with him.· And what was more, he had put in for a divorce.· Polyester was too far gone, starting from where we were, and with the limited resources we could put in.
· But he has been right in saying that urgent measures have been put off for too long.· He said that often important maintenance problems are put off until they create urgent problems.· Even so, many expatriates are put off the offshore industry by its reputation for shady practices.· Others are put off by the stark social and economic differences between the two communities.· Stewart Skirving, of the community development project, said the disturbances associated with late-night drinking would put off many tourists.· They, too, were put off.· On two or three afternoons of the first week winds may be a little daunting; don't be put off.· Antonio Cellini would not be put off so easily.
· It could be put on and off each day, although with difficulty.· I shower in lukewarm water and decide on thick white running shorts and matching top which I put on in slow motion.· The eyebrows and eyelashes were drawn in an then very pale washes were put on, the paint smooth and even.· The cursed item can not be removed, either, once put on.· This special afternoon sale will put on offer an album of fifty-eight previously unknown drawings by Henry Fuseli.· The strong structure we have put on our example allows us easily to derive prices and output per fIrm.
· Most of these babies, put out to wet nurses, failed to survive infancy.· As a result, the Minipod puts out a massive sound stage and places instruments exactly where they should be.· In response the Society rejected the need to compel local authorities to put out aspects of their legal services to competitive tender.· Alderman Marzullo puts out a 350-page ad book every year, at one hundred dollars a page.· Most of the equipment must be locked away in storerooms and sheds at night and put out again every morning.· They want to engineer products that put out a strong signal with minimal interference.· She put out her hands on either side, intending to lean back and stretch in the sun.· He joined a 20-member crew, digging ditches and helping to put out hot spots.
· The mercenary ones simply put up with them and pretend that they love them for what they can get out of them.· They simply put it out and let the music speak for itself.· He simply put the letters on Arty's locker and turned away.· Put simply, cardiac arrhythmia is an irregular heartbeat.· Put simply, the necessary finance can be made available to you in return for Barclays taking a minority shareholding in your business.· Put simply the new system had to work.· Put simply, intellectual property is not an obstacle to access.· Or, more simply put: Freemen to the east.
· Images of this type should be fairly simple, eyecatching and quick to put together.· At that point, you should meet with management and put together a plan for further education and development.· Bob Hope was off the scale altogether and Peter O'Toole was worse than the whole lot put together.· Artistic Director Barbara Oliver has done more than put together a strong cast.· That is, the human species is capable of experiencing sensations equal in total to those experienced by all other species put together.· But at home, everything is not neatly packaged and put together, and I do not always feel clear or confident.· What extra significance is added when different items are put together?· For the first time, Alvin and the group could concentrate simply on creating dances and putting together performances.
· More than 70,000 shopkeepers have been forced to put up the shutters in the past year.· The Unitariansthey put up a new one every week on their sign.· But later - in the morning, when he could put up with the old boy's fussing.· So he decided to put up the money out of his own pocket.· A lot of that sarcasm is just bravado, and if I can put up with his teasing, can't you?· Henry was infamous for his impatience and his refusal to put up with nonsense.· There is nothing to stop pressure groups putting up candidates at parliamentary elections on specific and limited programmes.· But former Rangers star Ferguson was having to put up with a torrent of abuse.
NOUN· She put an arm round the girl's waist.· He sat down beside her, put an arm round her shoulders.· The cast crowded around him and Gabby put her arms around him unselfconsciously and cried.· He lay there, feeling very tender and protective, and put an arm rather tentatively around her.· Pop put his arm around me.· Wanted to put her arm around her, hug her, what the hell had super-brat been up to now?· Edward, utterly wretched, put his arms about her and she raised her mouth to his.
· He could put green back on the trees, blue back into the sky, purple into the undergrowth.· A couple of wrong moves in the commodities market put his back against the wall.· Biddy put her head back and yelled with laughter.· Here I built a small fire, and putting my back to the rock lit a cigarette.· He put the photograph back and went upstairs.· I really put my back into it, you know?· The Government later backed advice that babies be put on their backs to sleep and not overheated by too many blankets.· I can't put the clock back.
· If possible, let the floor dry before putting the bed down again.· Mommy, put the bed in that room.· Sleep covered me like an eiderdown which some invisible nurse had picked up from the floor and put back on the bed.· She intended to put her own bed into it.· I put her to bed and sat there talking to her.· Both of them were soldiers and both were wounded and put in the same bed.· She took Annie up and put her to bed, then went to their bedroom to change herself.· Another comes each evening to put him back in bed.
· How can you get some one who was actively involved in events and put him in charge of the investigation?· An old Bridgeport pal with no qualifications had been put in charge of the community conservation program.· Rightwinger John Redwood has been put in charge of the Conservative party's parliamentary campaigns unit.· The company put new managers in charge.· He was told to put Gabriel in the charge of his daughter, and led the way.· Arline: What is: They put John Kromko in charge of it?
· The Profitboss will always investigate the complaint, putting personal time, effort and resource into resolving the issue.· The men who had put such skill and effort into building Hsu Fu were not going to let the raft be destroyed.· Instead of putting all her efforts into resisting him, she'd been more concerned about not admitting her love.· Although listening devices and seismic instruments were put in place, efforts to pinpoint the source of the noise were unsuccessful.· It either makes you appreciate what you've got and put even more effort in.· Please help us consistently to put in the effort.· Humans have managed to learn so much because generations of adults put effort into caring for children.
· Nor will managers succeed by putting greater emphasis on planning or simply overlapping various stages in the development process.· Unveiled last year, Pastrana's plan addresses drug issues, but puts greater emphasis on economic development.· They put a strong emphasis on drama like we did.· Wilzcek agreed that the newer, West Coast institutions probably put more emphasis on science than their more traditional East Coast counterparts.· The Convention traditionally puts an emphasis on evangelism.· Carter preferred to put the emphasis on the word separately rather than Defense.· All this put the emphasis on the content and was consequently responsible for the heterogeneous nature of literary studies.· In the primary grades, teachers put emphasis on language and reading skills.
· Thus the event of her puberty puts an end to her pure childhood.· The general theoretical discussion on concepts and definitions is therefore - perhaps surprisingly - put at the end.· He could put an end to the suspense any time he chooses.· Swiftly introduce new legislation to put an end to the trauma and misery suffered by child witnesses in court proceedings.· I put points on the ends of the pieces.· That, he decided, would put an end to Irina's career, if not to Irina.· While happy to appear tired of the Gingrich fight, Clinton has done nothing to put an end to it.
· Historians now want to put a face on to the skull.· They put on happy faces and hearts.· With the way she had carried on smiling, stifling the grief, putting on her brave face to the world?· She spent the next 18 months putting a brave face on her illness, with lots of loving support from George.· Whether in denial or putting on a brave face, the delegates professed to be unperturbed by those numbers.· Perhaps some of them are good at putting on a face, saving the grim reality for private moments.· I had shut them when I put my face to the screen, like I was scared to look outside.
· But Harriet Shakespeare put a finger on her wrist to stop her.· He put his finger on them: Gordon Beauchamp, 41, sons Gordy, 16, and Ivan, 10.· I've put the finger on seven members of the ring since lunch, but the big guy is slippery.· But Harrison also put his finger on the real problem.· She put the skull down on the table, took the ring out of her pocket, and put it on her finger.· She had something too, Sly couldn't put his finger on it.· The issues may be too delicate to handle or too difficult to put your finger on precisely.· He put a finger to his lips: Shusssshhh ... then removed the sock from her mouth.
· I refer to people who, as I speak, are sitting at home, unable to put on their electric fires.· Nothing could put out that fire.· Always put out an open fire before going to bed.· They could be people passing buckets of water to put out a fire.· But if nothing else, the McKenna decider served one purpose - it helped to put additional fire in Derry's bellies.· Some grunts came up and put out the fire.· They put it under the fire.· Fire engines have been sent for, to put out the fire.
· Tammuz had dimmed the lights, put his feet up, and asked the computer to tune in the wall-screen.· Limitations aside, Tagliabue still has it all over Bud Selig, who puts a foot down only to shuffle obsequiously.· She didn't answer, just put her foot down and sent the Cortina faster and faster through the night.· He pushed the ottoman over and I put my feet up.· I put my foot down and the car began to move forward.· Take off your coat and put your feet up.· He says it gave him time to put his feet up and relax.· Then he put his feet up on the bench and snored for ten minutes.
· The girl put out her hand for one; he gave it to her.· Primo puts his hand on her shoulder.· She put her hand defiantly on his arm and glared at the ring of faces.· She put her hands on my head and held them there, willing me to see.· I put my hands behind my back.· He put his hands over the back of his head, covering up.· Athelstan put his hand gingerly into the small, dark space and brought out two rolls of parchment.· One or two of the women put a hand on Margaret, but she was lost to us then.
· Sinking to his knees, the priest put his head in his hands and sobbed.· When I saw him in court he was crying, and so was I.. He put his head down.· Dash put his head in his hands, as if in pain.· Once you put your head above the parapet these people clearly shot at it.· Norm put his head back with his eyes closed while he smoked.· The young man or woman sings along with the song again again, putting their head back as they do so.· I veered off to the curb and put my head back on the seat, like a collapse.
· She also had been able to put her feelings on hold as she concentrated on the problems facing her.· That plan was put on hold after Rep.· These projects have been put on hold indefinitely.· Cold temperatures do not kill bacteria, they just put them on hold.· All that was put on hold on March 20, 1990.· We may put advertising on hold for a few months.· For the second time since they had begun their desperate groping Polly and Jack were forced to put their passion on hold.· Her own plans had to be put on hold.
· Charles, however, was determined to use the farm at Highgrove as a model to put his ideas into practice.· I had put the boyfriend idea on hold for a while.· The Delacroix date put paid to that idea.· Buffalo school leaders are now in the process of trying to put the council's ideas into action.· It rather put paid to any idea she'd had of motoring around and discovering more of the area though.· And his thought was very fruitful: fore-shadowing differential and integral calculus, he put forward the useful idea of a limit.· Instead, he believes he can begin drafting new laws to put his ideas into practice.· Brouwer first put forward his ideas in 1924, which was more than ten years before the work of Church and Turing.
· He wants to know what happened to put his own mind at rest.· A second glance put my mind to rest, but for a moment there it gave me a turn.· She would pick up the thought and put it outside her mind.· They put their minds to it.· It was then that she couldn't put Fen out of her mind.· He could wake the dead when he put his mind to it.· He's been very kind to me and Lily, as regards putting our minds at rest about Stella.· But Cose put my mind at ease in his introduction.
· A Victorian theme would attract many people and possibly put money back into council coffers.· Fernando Chico Pardo, a Carso director, says investors could consider putting money in the as-yet-unnamed holding company.· The customer dialled the publication he wanted, put in his money, and out came the book.· I watched as he put the money in his jacket pocket.· We should have been putting money by for a rainy day because that rainy day came.· Many words are lavished on the need for workers to put money into retirement accounts.· The investor decides on the currency most likely to appreciate against sterling and puts money on deposit in that currency.· To put some big money back into the heavyweight-fight game, Sultan goes looking for a white contender.
· The researchers had given me an electric thermometer, a stalk of red plastic, to put in my mouth.· Stop trying to put words into my mouth.· He cut a plug from it, put it in his mouth, wrapped the meat, and took off his glasses.· He should not put words in my mouth, however, or make false assumptions.· Luckily, I discovered it before I put it into my mouth.· His eyelids flickered and he put his sour unshaven mouth to hers.
· Emilio recognized the smell instantly but it was a moment before he could put a name to it.· It was the first time in more than five years that he had put his own name in one of his notebooks.· Consumers will be able to put their names on a register of people who don't want to receive sales calls.· The money given the city by 3Com to put its name on the park is part of that project.· Now he would have to return the money he had been given to put names forward for the vacancies.· First, can we talk about the structure without putting names in the boxes?· If so I'd like to put my name down for West Ham's lot, they're a bit tasty.· We hope to put his name and his work back where people can see them for the first time.
· Bob put down his papers at last, and sat looking towards the window.· Floyd obeyed, and put away his papers.· Then put it on paper in the evening.· He put down the paper and watched the beads of rain race down the glass, one into another, ceaselessly.· Island in the Sun James Conway put away his business papers and sat back in his seat.· Then he tidies his desk, puts his papers in order, and locks up the office.· He put the papers back into the drawer and locked the desk, but continued to sit there.· She never put anything actual on paper until she had settled her house down at night.
· When she finally put down the phone, she stared at it for a few seconds longer.· That decision has been made for them by whoever put the phone in place.· Culley put the phone down, then dialled Mike Dawson's number.· There was more to the Steelers' resurgence than putting the phones on hold, however.· Either Quinn knew just what he was doing or he was going to provoke the kidnapper into putting down the phone.· Mackey put down the phone and walked across the windy plaza to his car.· He asked two questions and put the phone down.· He put the phone down on the cradle and stared at it.
· These can not be eliminated without putting something in its place.· The technosphere is the scaffolding put in place to help Bio2 pop.· The eggs need to be put in a warm place to hatch.· Three of 12 reforms the board approved last month have been put into place.· They can also include questions which ask pupils to put themselves in the place of some person in the past.· We tried to emphasize a system where you put things in place and hire smart, hard-working people.· His wife had been put in place as a Soviet agent.· That decision has been made for them by whoever put the phone in place.
· It is of no use to put forward a partial plan for the revitalization of our education.· We are going to put abortion into the plan.· It is important to put the plan in writing.· She had put off her summer plans and decided to stay with him.· But I've put a plan of the Lab in my office for you.· Learn about the psychological impacts of life in this new work world, and put together a plan for handling them successfully.· That means we can delay putting plans in for the reservoir.· By Wednesday morning, however, director Henry Dean was ready to put a plan into action.
· Never must she put herself in a position where she might be tempted to betray the fact that she loved him.· There is a certain boldness about her; she strikes me as refusing to be put in any subordinate position.· But it wasn't, if you cared to put yourself in my position.· The Board said that they deserved their percentage because they had put me in the position to attract the money.· After some really lackluster efforts we are put in the uncomfortable position of rooting for an injury.· Midlands 9, North 17 Hodgkinson put in a position of weakness as North march on.· You will therefore be put in the position of paying two mortgages at the same time for a short period.
· Gwynedd's chief executive Huw Thomas said many of the lessons of the Towyn flood disaster were being put into practice.· The next step is to put them into practice.· Trials Lack of resources to put your visions into practice.· While the federal policy shift began a decade ago, forest managers have been slow to put it into practice.· Let's hope some of our little fire raisers don't manage to get there and put the ad into practice.· But he came gradually to see its viability and to contemplate ways of putting it into practice.· Charles, however, was determined to use the farm at Highgrove as a model to put his ideas into practice.· No eighteenth-century peace plan had the slightest chance of being put into practice.
· I put enough pressure on myself without having outside pressures as well.· The potential for other oppressed groups to be autonomously organized also put pressure on the Union to question its structures and attitudes.· Eaton said large institutional investors today are putting more pressure on publicly traded companies to increase their returns.· Consequently Edinburgh and Sedgley put Kelly under pressure on the Leeds right.· The administration's treatment of the National Fire Plan already indicates how budget cuts put new pressures on Congress.· We were always putting pressure on him to jack it in.· Just-in-time learning puts considerable pressure on organizations to figure out what training to provide when, and where.
· The results have to be published and should not be only of interest to the client group who put forward the proposal.· From this the person is expected to identify strengths and weaknesses in performance and then put forward proposals for change.· Chen has now put flesh on his proposal in an interview with Business Week.· He put the proposals forward formally in a letter to the two houses of parliament and the Constitutional Court on Nov. 30.· Mr. Taylor My right hon. Friend is putting forward and considering proposals for reform.· They will do that because the Milk Marketing Board has put forward those proposals for reform.· The legal profession has already put forward alternative proposals which would save the money the Lord Chancellor requires to save next year.· Both are putting forward major expansion proposals designed to cater for the NorthWest's rapidly expanding demand for air travel.
· Let me put some questions to you: Would you trust your child to an unqualified teacher?· It was accounted great discourtesy to put any question to a guest before his wants had been satisfied.· It looks as if they had extorted permission to put their prepared question, naming Salamis.· And I saw another man with a wheel on his head and put a question to him.· Now tell us at once, has Fred put the question?· John Langford contemplated this phenomenon without expression; then he began to put a series of questions to us both.· There was one man who soon put that out of the question.· I put this question to him now.
· Originally Abba's record company were going to put out their record in December.· The extent of that secret onslaught needs to be put on the record.· Let us put the record into perspective.· She intends to put the Council on record as wanting to reduce the poverty level by 10 percent.· I am happy to put that on the record once again.· I think the band ought to put out a record once a year.· Mrs Gore even risked the wrath of the record industry by campaigning to have warning labels put on particularly offensive records.· In every case, you have a better chance of being considered if you are able to put your performance on record.
· We further found that certain physical and physiologic profiles put children at risk for specific types of learning and psychological problems.· It would be dangerous pinning Ebert down and he didn't want to put her at risk.· I may have worried that being with Jasper, being passive with anybody, would put me at risk.· Remember that you will put your job at risk if you allow your partner to distract you at work.· The trade union representing the workforce at these plants had threatened to go on strike if their jobs are put at risk.· In either case you can easily and very quickly dehydrate and put your life at risk.· This is not the same form of heroism as those who put themselves at risk for others.
· What an awful humbug you must think me for putting on such a show of affection!· He doesn't want to put on any show.· Both men are employed by Sells-Floto Inc., which puts on the show.· I remember we set about putting together a cabaret show.· The Republicans put on an intimidating show, as they always intended, but it somehow rang hollow.· No need to put on a show for me, or be anything but yourself.· They do, however, put on a brave show.
· The law officers should put a stop to the practice forthwith.· If I do, my parents say I can put a stop to it.· This should put a stop to the sort of attempt made by Hanson after it had successfully taken-over Imperial.· I thought I'd put a stop to this nonsense!· Obviously putting prints with stop all over will ruin your dev.· Yet a polite, reasoned reply seldom puts a stop to the exchange.· There are some very dubious practices and we want to put a stop to them.· Like leapfrog and friendships with older girls the teachers always put a stop to it.
· Now Thatcherism is being put to the same test as Keynesianism was.· On the latter, the new Republican Assembly will be put to the test shortly.· This last fact means that many aspects of Salibi's theory can not as yet be put to the test.· They put me though every test in the book to be sure I was healthy.· It is highly desirable that from every product in regular production, samples be withdrawn periodically and put on long-term stability test.· So she puts him to the test.· Jealous voices reminded the Count of this again and again; eventually he decided to put her to the test.· Now this knowledge will be put to a stern test.
· Dyer was almost over for a try but put a foot in touch at the corner flag spoiled the effort.· You know, put in the Williams touch.· Perhaps one of Alfa Romeo's race engineers put him in touch with Enzo Ferrari?· You may spot workers putting the finishing touches on the dome.· They can put students in touch with teachers, regardless of the geographic location of either.· She also puts me in touch with the man who owns the picture.· They will spend Valentine's Day putting the final touches to their wedding following a whirlwind telephone romance.· And they put young people in touch with adult role models who can help ease the shift into adulthood.
· If the building is no longer needed for its original purpose, could it be put to a new use?· Recent Supreme Court decisions have put limits on the use of affirmative action to assure diversity in student bodies.· The money raised will be put to good use.· But the financing was also put to questionable use -- to buy the district out of an operating deficit.· Its waters formerly turned many a mill wheel on the way, although they are no longer put to any commercial use.· Can my hon. and diplomatic Friend assure us that these important diplomatic communications were not ultimately put to any ignoble use?· Bones are also put to practical use, strung together to make a kind of aeolian harp or wind chime.· But the timber is still much prized and Westonbirt arboretum hopes all the felled trunks will be put to good use.
· His neck looked thicker, as if he'd put weight on, and the greasy blonde hair was a few inches longer.· But both Ford and Kissinger gave the treaty their support, and Carter put the full weight of the presidency behind ratification.· All the fish have put on weight, the Pictus especially have grown about half-an-inch.· She cries a lot and is not putting on weight.· During their youth Jane was more likely to put her weight and invective behind brother Charles than her kid sister.· Had cabinet minister X put on even more weight from last year?· The ice occasionally shears away as I put my weight on it.· A friend has described it as worth putting on weight for.
· But above all, I needed something that at that time I was quite unable to put into words.· I should put aside the harsh words that had been said, I should try to make the best of everything.· And, no doubt, she was putting her own words into Franklyn's mouth again.· How is it possible for a speaker to put thoughts into words and for a hearer to understand them?· Stop trying to put words into my mouth.· He also put out the word that he had mined the forests.· It was suddenly quite impossible to put these living words back into page 300 of Vico and return them to Safe 5.· I heave a sigh of resignation, knowing how notoriously difficult it is to put unity into words.
VERB· Catesby, if he had stayed, might have put a restraining hand upon the petty malice of his comrades.· Those which happen to come to rest in a non-absorbing direction will absorb no more photons, and will thereafter stay put.· He tries to drag her home, but she struggles to stay put.· You expected them to stay put.· He wanted simply to stay put.· She told Clarissa to stay put and say no more until she herself came round to Clarissa's flat.· So for the forseeable future the hamsters are staying put.
· And few cared to try to put him down.· No matter how much he tried to put it off, he already knew that it was going to happen this week.· Plenty of Christians have tried their hand at putting their beliefs into prose or poetry, usually with calamitous aesthetic results.· I try to put my arm around him, but he shoves me off.· They tried to put a bomb on a plane last year, didn't they, sir?· When physicists try to put the two realms together, the answers they get are nonsense.· If your hands are cold, try putting a hat on!· She tries to put energy into her defensive game.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► put somebody down for £5/£20 etc► put it down to experience► put a clock/watch forward► put something ↔ in► put something ↔ in► put in something► put somebody straight/right► put something ↔ in► put in something► put something ↔ off► put somebody ↔ off► put something straight► put somebody off (something)► put somebody off (something)► put something ↔ on► put something ↔ on► put something on something► put something ↔ on► put something ↔ on► put something ↔ on► put on weight/12 lbs/4 kg etc► put something ↔ on► put something ↔ on► put something ↔ on► put something ↔ on► put something on something► put something on something► put somebody ↔ on► put something ↔ out► put something ↔ out► put something ↔ out► put somebody on a train/plane etc► put something ↔ out► put somebody out► put your back out► put something ↔ out► put somebody out► put somebody/something ↔ through► put somebody through something► put something ↔ through► more ... than the rest/the others/everything else put together► I wouldn’t put it past somebody (to do something)► put something ↔ up► put something ↔ up► put something ↔ up► put something ↔ up► put something ↔ up► put up something► put something up► put somebody to trouble/inconvenience► put somebody ↔ up► put up or shut up► put yourself about► put yourself across► put something ↔ away► put something ↔ away► put somebody away► put something ↔ away► put something ↔ away► put something ↔ away► put somebody/something ↔ back► put something ↔ back► put something ↔ back► put a clock/watch back► put down a motion/an amendmentPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► put in an appearance/make an appearance► put something to bed► put your head/neck on the block► put/leave something on the back burner► put/set the cat among the pigeons► put in your two cents’ worth► put something in cold storage► (put) daylight between yourself and somebody► put on the dog► put all your eggs in one basket► put up a good fight► put a figure on it/give an exact figure► put two fingers up at somebody► put somebody/something first► not put a foot wrong► put somebody out to grass► keep/put something on ice► give somebody ideas/put ideas into somebody’s head► put/take somebody over your knee► stick/put etc the knife in/into someone► put/lay/set down a marker► get/put somebody/something out of your mind► put something/somebody out of their misery► put the mockers on something► put/make a move on somebody► cannot put a name to something► put somebody’s nose out of joint► put somebody/something through their paces► somebody puts his pants on one leg at a time► put/stick your head above the parapet► put something/somebody out to pasture► put/stick that in your pipe and smoke it► not to put too fine a point on it► go into reverse/put something into reverse► put the roses back in somebody’s cheeks► put/tighten the screws on somebody► put/bet/stake your shirt on something► take/put up with shit (from somebody)► put your shoulder to the wheel► get/put your skates on► put/throw a spanner in the works► put a spoke in somebody’s wheel► set/put somebody straight► put somebody off their stroke► put/dip a toe in the water► put the whammy on somebody► put the wind up somebody/get the wind up► put years on somebody/take years off somebody
1move to place [always + adverb/preposition] to move something to a particular place or position, especially using your hands SYN place: - As the stage approached, I put one down and waved violently.
- Culley put the phone down, then dialled Mike Dawson's number.
- He asked two questions and put the phone down.
- I did not want to put it down.
- Minna put the letter down and shuddered.
- Parents may carry her around constantly afraid to put her down for fear she will burst into tears again.
- She put her drink down on the bar.
- When I put that phone down, I was in tears.
- Larson has promised to put the city's finances right by the end of the year.
- Suddenly as they exchanged memories each saw the other putting forth leaves.
- Can she put her faith in the people who oversaw her career before?
- Events that happen previously show us that Atticus is a person that we can put our trust in.
- He put his faith in the genius of individuals.
- None the less, geophysicists continue to look, continue to put their faith in ghosts of a sort.
- Others put their faith in camphor.
- She was putting her trust in the wrong people again.
- The Profitboss puts his trust in his people.
- The unfortunate crew of Tai Ki had put their faith in several coats of tung oil, to no effect.
- A few more attempts convinced him that nobody was going to put in an appearance.
- He always had their maid squeeze some fresh juice when Lorna Lewis was scheduled to put in an appearance.
- He wondered what time Howarth usually put in an appearance.
- Napkins and old cigarette packets did not, sadly, put in an appearance.
- Others, semi-sightseers, put in an appearance.
- She always tried to put in an appearance at the funerals of patients who had the misfortune to die.
- There was an hour yet before she need put in an appearance in the restaurant for the evening meal.
- We tour a lot in late winter and early spring, too, when sleet likes to put in an appearance.
- All the noise from the crowd put Alison off her game.
- Don't let her put you off, it's a really good movie.
- Seles couldn't concentrate on the game - the photographers were putting her off.
- Stop staring at me, it's putting me off.
- That weekend put me off camping for the rest of my life!
- When she told me she worked in an abattoir it rather put me off her.
- When you know an artist used to abuse his wife and children it does tend to put you off his work.
- Seth is moving to Alaska? You're putting me on!
- A very limited edition single was put out by Red Rhino, to promote the album it was actually unable to release.
- Could they not be put out to stud?
- I think it's understandable if Trevor was put out by this favoured treatment Sinatra got.
- Not surprisingly they take the easy way out when food is put out for them each day.
- That team was nowhere near as good as the sides Leeds are putting out now.
- The match was put out for new offers and Kasparov is due to make an announcement in London on March 22.
- There was no trust and everybody was putting out fires.
- When you are reacting, you are putting out fires.
- Are you sure you don't mind picking the children up from school? I don't want to put you out.
- I hope I'm not putting you out, but I need someone to stay in the office at lunchtime today.
- I wouldn't want to put yourself out just for me.
- A lot of people round here have put themselves out for me.
- Also, I was not keen on the prospect of putting myself out without desire.
- As if her father's interminable complaints were not enough, nomatterhow she put herself out to please him.
- I bad to ask around and write letters and put myself out to make it happen.
- Kept Ireland out of the war, but that doesn't mean he's putting himself out for your people.
- Mauve put himself out in all sorts of ways - a highly irritable man who could be expansively generous.
- They put themselves out of reach.
- You got ta put yourself out, at risk.
- Donaldson fought the urge to put his tongue out.
- I put my tongue out at them as far as it would go.
- Everyone puts his hand out, from cabinet ministers to loan underwriters.
- He put his hand out and there was Lily, quiet and warm beside him.
- He put his hand out, touching his father's cheek.
- Minna put her hands out and I handed her the divorce.
- She tottered, and put her arms out.
- Vern put his hand out this time.
- When she put her hand out, trying to rise, she skittled a row of bottles.
- Their intelligence agency, the Kempeitai, put out feelers to nationalists like Ngo Dinh Diem.
- But the glint of mockery in his dark eyes put paid to that fantasy.
- But Travis McKenna had put paid to that by being particularly vigilant.
- Hitler's assault in the summer of 1940 put paid to the agitation for peace negotiations.
- It rather put paid to any idea she'd had of motoring around and discovering more of the area though.
- Lefkowitz, a classicist and humanities professor at Wellesley College, puts paid to Afrocentric myth-making.
- People were cursing the Greenhouse Effect and swearing that it had put paid to surf in Hawaii for all time.
- This was the cause of his deafness, which put paid to a planned career in the army and in politics.
- Yet an inflamed shin almost put paid to Sampras in the first week.
- They think they've found a way to put one over on the welfare office.
- Cantor was pleased to have put one over on their first violinist, Sol Minskoff.
- Just put him over on the couch.
- They were trying to put one over on us and would no longer get away with it.
- I'm grateful to my wife for putting me through law school.
- He put himself through school with wages earned as a carpenter.
- He put his kids through college.
- I put my children through college doing it.
- I felt guilty thinking of my father working so hard to put me through school.
- Instead, she moved to Boston, where she worked as a waitress and put herself through school.
- Some said Pops sent his Social Security checks to his daughter to put his grandchildren through college.
- The boys were to be sent by their father, but he was able to put just one through school.
- There were stories of people putting themselves through college by working during the day and studying at night.
- "Where are you staying?" "Carole's putting us up for a couple of days."
- They put me up in the spare room for a few days while I sorted things out.
- By then I realized it was all too late anyway so I didn't put up a fight.
- Had he, perhaps, put up a fight?
- I bet you did that last night. - Did she put up a fight, then?
- I start running, but my body puts up a fight.
- Instead of dragging everything into the open and putting up a fight, I held on in silence.
- Not only relieved by beating Dallas, but yes, this team can put up a fight.
- The temptation was great to muster what force we could and put up a fight.
- In other days Managers would have put up an argument as to the folly of this approach by Management.
- $500? OK, it's a deal. Put it there!
- Any name that was on the list was there because Nikos had put it there.
- He didn't remember putting it there.
- It hates you for putting it there, but is loyal to you because you bring it food.
- Just for like if we put it there.
- People think I put it there as a piece of pop art to decorate the room.
- That must have been Lee who'd put it there.
- There is nothing behind the cartoon sofa and if you find anything it's because you yourself have put it there.
- Where every plant to sprout is known in advance because you put it there.
- Due in part to unrelenting rain throughout the month, drivers have put in only about 9, 000 laps during practice.
- Early in the welfare debate, assorted government agencies began putting it about that the teen-age birth rate was dropping.
- Edward, utterly wretched, put his arms about her and she raised her mouth to his.
- He put his arm about her then, and drew her close.
- It was actually put up about 1670 after a sketch by Francesco Caratti.
- The hazardous weather conditions put concerns about budget developments and the economy on the back burner.
- The two partners put up about $ 60 million for the new venture.
- We ask that you use this evening to put any questions about our industry to any of the staff here.
- Due in part to unrelenting rain throughout the month, drivers have put in only about 9, 000 laps during practice.
- Early in the welfare debate, assorted government agencies began putting it about that the teen-age birth rate was dropping.
- Edward, utterly wretched, put his arms about her and she raised her mouth to his.
- He put his arm about her then, and drew her close.
- It was actually put up about 1670 after a sketch by Francesco Caratti.
- The hazardous weather conditions put concerns about budget developments and the economy on the back burner.
- The two partners put up about $ 60 million for the new venture.
- We ask that you use this evening to put any questions about our industry to any of the staff here.
- It's time the community worked together to put an end to the violence.
- Her old feeling for him had returned; she was determined to put an end to his sufferings and bring him home.
- It was Gloucester who chose to put an end to it.
- Judge Frossard, it seems, wanted to put an end to the inertia.
- Swiftly introduce new legislation to put an end to the trauma and misery suffered by child witnesses in court proceedings.
- That put an end to any stunt deemed risky, Weiss says.
- This trite communication put an end to Emma's overtures and she began to fade from their lives.
- Thus the event of her puberty puts an end to her pure childhood.
- To put an end to such exalted talk, I asked Mendl to tell me about Spats-making machinery.
- As the stage approached, I put one down and waved violently.
- Culley put the phone down, then dialled Mike Dawson's number.
- He asked two questions and put the phone down.
- I did not want to put it down.
- Minna put the letter down and shuddered.
- Parents may carry her around constantly afraid to put her down for fear she will burst into tears again.
- She put her drink down on the bar.
- When I put that phone down, I was in tears.
- Forest managers have been slow to put the plan into practice.
- But he came gradually to see its viability and to contemplate ways of putting it into practice.
- But there is a long way to go before he establishes a stable government that can put these qualities into action.
- Charles, however, was determined to use the farm at Highgrove as a model to put his ideas into practice.
- Guide us to recognise how great are your resources, and inspire us to put your plans into action.
- If so, he was about to have an opportunity to put it into practice.
- It's time to put his theories into practice and find out the reality.
- The next stage is to implement it or put it into action.
- The next step is to put them into practice.
- As the stage approached, I put one down and waved violently.
- Culley put the phone down, then dialled Mike Dawson's number.
- He asked two questions and put the phone down.
- I did not want to put it down.
- Minna put the letter down and shuddered.
- Parents may carry her around constantly afraid to put her down for fear she will burst into tears again.
- She put her drink down on the bar.
- When I put that phone down, I was in tears.
- As the stage approached, I put one down and waved violently.
- Culley put the phone down, then dialled Mike Dawson's number.
- He asked two questions and put the phone down.
- I did not want to put it down.
- Minna put the letter down and shuddered.
- Parents may carry her around constantly afraid to put her down for fear she will burst into tears again.
- She put her drink down on the bar.
- When I put that phone down, I was in tears.
- My father's father, a soldier in the Black Watch, had helped put down a rebellion one Easter in Dublin.
- As the stage approached, I put one down and waved violently.
- Culley put the phone down, then dialled Mike Dawson's number.
- He asked two questions and put the phone down.
- I did not want to put it down.
- Minna put the letter down and shuddered.
- Parents may carry her around constantly afraid to put her down for fear she will burst into tears again.
- She put her drink down on the bar.
- When I put that phone down, I was in tears.
- As the stage approached, I put one down and waved violently.
- Culley put the phone down, then dialled Mike Dawson's number.
- He asked two questions and put the phone down.
- I did not want to put it down.
- Minna put the letter down and shuddered.
- Parents may carry her around constantly afraid to put her down for fear she will burst into tears again.
- She put her drink down on the bar.
- When I put that phone down, I was in tears.
- After I have put the phone down I sit gazing at Kyle on the opposite side of the airwell.
- After she had put the phone down, she felt in a daze.
- And he had just put the phone down on the only man who could ruin it all for him.
- Be brisk, polite, and put the phone down.
- Culley put the phone down, then dialled Mike Dawson's number.
- He put the phone down and listened to its ringing - its machine persistence.
- He put the phone down in the dining room.
- He put the phone down on the cradle and stared at it.
- As the stage approached, I put one down and waved violently.
- Culley put the phone down, then dialled Mike Dawson's number.
- He asked two questions and put the phone down.
- I did not want to put it down.
- Minna put the letter down and shuddered.
- Parents may carry her around constantly afraid to put her down for fear she will burst into tears again.
- She put her drink down on the bar.
- When I put that phone down, I was in tears.
- It's such a good book that I couldn't put it down.
- What an amazing book! I just couldn't put it down.
- As the stage approached, I put one down and waved violently.
- Culley put the phone down, then dialled Mike Dawson's number.
- He asked two questions and put the phone down.
- I did not want to put it down.
- Minna put the letter down and shuddered.
- Parents may carry her around constantly afraid to put her down for fear she will burst into tears again.
- She put her drink down on the bar.
- When I put that phone down, I was in tears.
- The extra time was turned to good account.
- He treats everyone like children, and that's why he puts people's backs up.
- It really gets my back up when salesmen call round to the house.
- At Eagle Butte I stopped and got a clamp, got the pipe back up there some way.
- He had been around the scene for long enough to know how to manipulate meetings without getting everyone's back up.
- If you get his/her back up, even if you're right, you're dead!
- She'd even got Bert's back up proper, over his betting and poor old Floss.
- Simon naturally put people's backs up.
- You got to get back up.
- Come on, John. Stop messing around and put your back into it!
- I really put my back into it, you know?
- And putting the boot in ... the recycling service for wellies.
- And the judge, emboldened by the new case management powers decides to put the boot in.
- At her wedding Phil took spectacularly to the bottle and put the boot in with some brio.
- Gregory put the boot in ... metaphorically speaking!
- I think they just sucked up to David, and began to put the boot in really, quite unnecessarily and unfairly.
- I wouldn't like to be stuck down a dark alley at night with whoever put the boot in here.
- Low-brow pedestrians of all parties, egged on by the press, were only too happy to put the boot in.
- Time had put the boot in.
- It's the government's latest effort to put the brakes on rising prices.
- He managed to touch-down at the threshold and put the brakes on.
- If Peres and Labor are defeated, the Likud Party has vowed to put the brakes on the peace movement.
- Laid crops and unsettled weather put the brakes on harvest for many growers this week.
- The Communists have climbed on the bandwagon, but only to put the brakes on.
- There are indications, however, that the government is now trying to put the brakes on further expansion.
- Those cars with all those springs that rock back and forwards like a see-saw when you put the brakes on.
- He was shattered, though he put on a brave face.
- I suppose parents have to put on a brave face.
- Leaving the court the families all tried to put on a brave face.
- Meanwhile, Llandundo put on a brave face yesterday and struggled to get back to normal after last week's devastating floods.
- Newspaper staff put on a brave face.
- No one said a word all of us were consciously putting on a brave face.
- Whether in denial or putting on a brave face, the delegates professed to be unperturbed by those numbers.
- When you can put bums on seats, then you can come and tell me what flights you want to travel on.
- If they're willing to put all their cards on the table and negotiate, that's good.
- If we want to reach an agreement, we'll have to lay all our cards on the table.
- They're willing to put all their cards on the table and negotiate.
- Come on, you can lay your cards on the table in this house.
- The new rules appear to encourage parties to lay their cards on the table and facilitate early settlements.
- It is Labour's insistence on putting the cart before the horse which fills me with gloom.
- It seems to me that Mr Topolski is putting the cart before the horse.
- This is putting the cart before the horse.
- This may sound like putting the cart before the horse and being unnecessarily pessimistic.
- If I could turn the clock back, I don't think I'd study law again.
- It would be nice to put the clock back to the years when Mum and Dad were still alive.
- He thinks you can turn the clock back.
- It was almost like turning the clock back a couple of centuries.
- Not unless they fell into Morton's hands. Turn the clock back.
- Or not lie, maybe. Turn the clock back.
- The most important thing now is not to turn the clock back.
- This great divide can not be bridged by turning the clock back.
- We can not turn the clock back.
- What is past is past and you can not turn the clock back.
- Anyway, even if one wanted to, one couldn't put the clock back to an earlier age.
- I can't put the clock back.
- They were therefore accused of putting the clock back and bringing the best hope of Christendom to an impasse.
- It may put a different complexion on things.
- To me, the fact that she hasn't been heard of again in seventeen years puts a different complexion on it.
- The law does not say that specifically, but people have chosen to put that construction on it.
- The burglary put a damper on the family's Christmas.
- A couple of knee injuries put a damper on his football career.
- Analysts had figured the bad news from the giant microprocessor maker would put a damper on technology stocks.
- It really put a damper on everything.
- Lower prices for Treasury bonds helped put a damper on stock prices, traders said.
- Torrential rain put a damper on the event, sending bedraggled guests squelching across lawns to seek shelter.
- Motta always put him on the defensive.
- Simple as sneezing to put him on the defensive.
- The Conservative achievement in the 1980s was to put Labour on the defensive by presenting Thatcherism as a continuation of historic Conservatism.
- The Sangh has put Congress on the defensive by forcing it to dilute its secular tradition.
- These two seemed friendly enough, but their questions about Sweetheart put him on the defensive.
- This established licensing hours for the first time, and put brewers on the defensive.
- This puts people on the defensive, and they may become silent or get angry.
- You guys being a little bit aggressive at the beginning put him on the defensive.
- The council will need more money to put the regulations into effect.
- He was the first football manager to appreciate the importance of such harmony and to put it into effect.
- It had developed contingency plans before the incident and put them into effect when water in the mine began to overflow.
- One of them should be chosen and be put rapidly into effect.
- So far, 24 of the 35 nations needed to put the treaty into effect have ratified it.
- The Hague conference is the last chance to determine how to put the accord into effect.
- The possibility of judicial review is constantly in the mind of Ministers and officials when preparing legislation and putting it into effect.
- To put these contentions into effect the applicant made two applications in the district court to which the cases had been transferred.
- We need to raise at least £50,000 to put our plans into effect.
- Jill's still busy putting on her face.
- Then I put her face on her desk, supported by a heap of loose files.
- The IRS tries to put the fear of God into people who don't pay enough tax.
- Their intelligence agency, the Kempeitai, put out feelers to nationalists like Ngo Dinh Diem.
- Everyone there - not to put too fine a point on it - was crazy.
- The dishes we tried tasted, not to put too fine a point on it, like gasoline.
- I can't put my finger on it, but there's something different about you.
- But what they were she could not quite put her finger on.
- Ezra put his finger on the photos.
- I can't put my finger on it.
- Lord Wyatt had put his finger on it: The hunts wouldn't let her in.
- Nightbreed almost does, but fails for some reason I can't quite put my finger on.
- One child put her finger on 17.
- Something was happening amongst the youth movement that so admired him and he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
- The Captain of the Lymington-Yarmouth ferry could not quite put his finger on what was wrong.
- Barry returned the next day to add the finishing touches.
- Its warmth and richness will add the finishing touches that are all important to the dress of your dreams.
- The band are currently putting the finishing touches to their third album, which should be out early in the summer.
- The birds whose selective predation put the finishing touches to their evolution must, at least collectively, have had excellently good vision.
- The more exacting you are in putting the finishing touches to the picture, the better the result will be.
- We can put the finishing touches to your programme.
- With most members of the task force now dismissed, Mr Magaziner is putting the finishing touches to his report.
- Medical experts put flesh on the statistical data for the audience.
- Chen has now put flesh on his proposal in an interview with Business Week.
- The strength of this book is that it puts flesh on the bare bones of this argument.
- Ed was talking about dropping out of school, but Mom and Dad put their foot down.
- I wanted to take a year off before college, but my mother put her foot down.
- You'd better put your foot down before those kids get completely out of control.
- I put my feet down carefully.
- I put my foot down and the car began to move forward.
- Justice puts its foot down on Oxie.
- Later still My silly wee sister has put her feet down and refuses to let me near her Power Pack.
- Rice, however, put his foot down and made what he called his first policy decision.
- She didn't answer, just put her foot down and sent the Cortina faster and faster through the night.
- They could have put their foot down and dragged us into court.
- We were nearing the camp, so I aimed for the ruts in the track and put my foot down.
- Well, at least put your feet up for a few minutes. Would you like a drink?
- When you're pregnant and doing a full-time job, you must find time to put your feet up.
- E for elevation, otherwise known as putting your feet up.
- He pushed the ottoman over and I put my feet up.
- He says it gave him time to put his feet up and relax.
- Take off your coat and put your feet up.
- Tammuz had dimmed the lights, put his feet up, and asked the computer to tune in the wall-screen.
- That boy needs a lot of teaching, he thought, putting his feet up.
- Then he put his feet up on the bench and snored for ten minutes.
- She's a little weird isn't she? Oh no, have I put my foot in my mouth? Is she a friend of yours?
- Simon wanted to finish the conversation before he put his foot in it any further.
- As creative types, we're notoriously unpredictable, and thus liable to put our foot in it in front of touchy clients.
- Glover had put his foot in it somehow.
- I have put my foot in it.
- It was immediately clear that he had put his foot in it.
- It wasn't her fault if she had a gift for putting her foot in it.
- Somehow, with her usual clumsiness, she had opened her mouth and put her foot in it.
- The animals, yes, putting the frighteners on.
- Why should this female start putting the frighteners on him now, after all this time?
- He might as well have put a gun to my head.
- Aunt Edie was in such a rage about it that she was hard put to contain herself.
- Governments will then be hard put to get it on to their national statute books by mid-1993.
- I can assure you that any busybody would be hard put to it to prove maltreatment!
- Leinster will be hard pushed to keep the score within the respectable margins of defeat set by their predecessors.
- Once an apology is given, the defendant will be hard put to contest liability later.
- The slave's side ... and even Miss Phoebe would be hard put to understand.
- With his height and features, he was hard put to pass as a native.
- You will be hard pressed to choose a single main course because so many are mouth-watering.
- He simply puts his head down and keeps on scoring goals - lots of them.
- He was as cranky as a bad-tempered goat, always putting his head down and charging into things that annoyed him.
- I put my head down and kept stroking.
- I put my head down into my hands and absented myself mentally.
- Instead of putting his head down and charging, Balshaw chipped and chased.
- When I saw him in court he was crying, and so was I.. He put his head down.
- You chuck down three of them, and then put your head down on your desk.
- 150 government leaders are putting their heads together to discuss how to curb the production of greenhouse gases.
- The challenge is to put our heads together and think of a new way of working.
- We'll put our heads together after work and see if we can come up with a solution.
- Anyway, we can put our heads together later and see if it means anything.
- Emily and I put our heads together after office hours and came up with the answers we needed.
- Fearing the ships might founder on coastal rocks, the admiral summoned all his navigators to put their heads together.
- He will be less easy to understand if you literally put your heads together.
- Stevie and I are going to put our heads together to try and reconstruct them for Midge.
- The next day Martha and I would put our heads together and decide what should be done.
- They put their heads together, from thousands of miles away.
- But Apple first must get its house in order.
- Commissioners are satisfied with the progress it is making to put its house in order.
- Following numerous complaints the Vicar of Woodford has been told to put his house in order.
- Henry had set his house in order but had no thoughts about setting off on crusade.
- Others have called on the council to step in and tell the firm to put its house in order.
- The Law Society no longer can support equally those who have put their house in order and those who have not.
- What he fails to do is to put a human face on these processes.
- The collapse of the junk-bond market has put the kibosh on a management buy-out of Wickes, an engineering and home-furnishings company.
- Alan and I put the lid on the coffin and screwed it down.
- He had left the Phillips screwdriver in the spare room after we'd put the lid on.
- He put the lid on the pan and picked up his wine glass and drank before saying anything else.
- His new responsibilities have put the lid on this.
- If it passes, the measure would be the first time that an Arizona community has put a lid on building permits.
- It was Ray Kroc that really put McDonald's restaurants on the map.
- The French town of Albertville hoped the winter Olympics would put the town on the map.
- It is already sixteen years since we left London specifically to help put Norfolk on the map in the Medau world.
- It was inspired by Brendan Foster and it brought international athletics to the town and put it on the map.
- Lady Diana's engagement to Prince Charles really put Althorp on the map, and it became a full-time job for me.
- That would put us on the map, give us more respect.
- The range improvement program, though, really put me on the map.
- This tournament has put us on the map and we are keen to develop it further.
- Whoever did, she says, put Nanaimo on the map.
- We put everything under the microscope.
- He's a troubled youngster, to put it mildly.
- The movie contains some scenes that are, to put it mildly, rather difficult to watch.
- After one hundred days of world peace, all surviving were to put it mildly, a little bothered and regretful.
- Barkley, to put it mildly, is a bit more complicated.
- But the depth of the dislike of the Tory leadership surprised everybody, to put it mildly.
- But the testimony from the High Street is mixed, to put it mildly.
- On this view there is, to put it mildly, no urgency about a referendum.
- Traveling in pairs out here saves a lot of walking -- to put it mildly.
- Tucson audiences are passionate, to put it mildly.
- Unforthcoming, to put it mildly.
- Candidates are put through the mill by the Senate.
- Just to put your mind at ease, we will get a second opinion from a cardiac specialist.
- The doctor set my mind at rest by explaining exactly what effect the drug would have on me.
- But let me set your mind at rest.
- But she'd like to see him, to try and set her mind at rest.
- He's been very kind to me and Lily, as regards putting our minds at rest about Stella.
- He's unlikely to know how you feel, and until he does, he can't put your mind at rest.
- He must set their minds at rest about the Freddie affair, because they knew of Freddie.
- I wish I could put their minds at rest.
- It puts my mind at rest.
- Quite often, all that is required is a friendly chat to put your mind at rest.
- But they put me in mind of trees in November.
- It put Luce in mind of a corrupt and rotting corpse.
- The fried bean curd put one in mind of oriental griddle cakes and needed the hot sauces to extract their inscrutable flavour.
- The Professor couldn't help thinking that he put him in mind of a young Jack Palance.
- What it put me in mind of was a very bad joke that once ran in my family.
- A second glance put my mind to rest, but for a moment there it gave me a turn.
- Across the table, Lalage put her mind to the subjugation of Dada.
- Anybody could do what I do if they put their mind to it.
- But he can turn his mind to detailed needs, like pensions, if he has to.
- He would put his mind to other issues, one of which was sobering in its own right.
- I turned my mind to Archie.
- Whatever you set your mind to, your personal total obsession, this is what kills you.
- When Medea knew the deed was done she turned her mind to one still more dreadful.
- A lot of people are putting money on the line, hoping what Petruchio says he can do, he will do.
- Even the madmen wouldn't have him in real life, I'd put money on it.
- No one in their senses puts money on a horse other than in the hope of winning money.
- On the basis of what I told them, they put money on the line.
- She'd be willing to put money on that.
- The investor decides on the currency most likely to appreciate against sterling and puts money on deposit in that currency.
- The question this time, however, is would you still put your money on her?
- They put money on the table, too, perfect strangers expressing unmistakable monetary interest in the Tonelli Nation.
- Even the madmen wouldn't have him in real life, I 'd put money on it.
- Personally, I 'd put my money on accidental death without a second thought.
- It's time for the governor to put his money where his mouth is.
- Demand for most bonds is high because investors keep putting money into corporate bond funds.
- First, it has poured money into Xinjiang.
- I too had put money into the hat.
- If the possible reward is very high, I would put money into a business that could fail. 4.
- In addition, the company has soured some investors by pouring money into headlong expansion at the expense of earnings.
- Staff can add credit on to their cards by putting money into card machines in the building.
- The people believed, and many of them were putting money into improving their homes, modernizing their small businesses.
- This, he says, accounts for developers fighting shy of putting money into the city.
- The discovery set in motion two days of searching for the bodies.
- A tiny pilot light, if you like, that was necessary to set everything else in motion.
- Corot set the countryside in motion.
- He has set the ball in motion.
- How easy to see how a white kid could set this in motion with hardly any effort.
- It is both wasteful and irresponsible to set experiments in motion and omit to record and analyse what happens.
- Oliver corrected the clock and set it in motion.
- On Jan. 13, Vega said, Guzman set his plot in motion.
- The programme had lost the man responsible for setting it in motion.
- She sat at the piano for hours, putting one of her poems to music.
- The Greek tragedy "Elektra" was set to music by Richard Strauss.
- But if you have an extremely subtle story, how are you going to set it to music?
- For Robin, a place to put mind to music.
- What were you going to do, set it to music?
- I heard him mention something about organs to another guest so I put my oar in and started such a nice conversation.
- She was talking to me just now, before you put your oar in.
- We were sorting it out quite nicely until you stuck your oar in.
- Cantor was pleased to have put one over on their first violinist, Sol Minskoff.
- They were trying to put one over on us and would no longer get away with it.
- I wouldn't put it past Colin to lie to his wife.
- But the glint of mockery in his dark eyes put paid to that fantasy.
- But Travis McKenna had put paid to that by being particularly vigilant.
- Hitler's assault in the summer of 1940 put paid to the agitation for peace negotiations.
- It rather put paid to any idea she'd had of motoring around and discovering more of the area though.
- Lefkowitz, a classicist and humanities professor at Wellesley College, puts paid to Afrocentric myth-making.
- People were cursing the Greenhouse Effect and swearing that it had put paid to surf in Hawaii for all time.
- This was the cause of his deafness, which put paid to a planned career in the army and in politics.
- Yet an inflamed shin almost put paid to Sampras in the first week.
- By the second half of the game, the Tigers had really started to put the pedal to the metal.
- Later, Brooks' brother alleged that racism helped put the pedal to the metal.
- My last boyfriend put me on a pedestal.
- Another will place philanthropy on a pedestal and yet have a resentful, unforgiving spirit.
- I was the most beautiful, wonderful woman and he put me on a pedestal.
- If it is going to be special, put it on a pedestal of sorts.
- Let's face it, possum, there are some who would put me on a pedestal.
- And striker Geoff Ferris is likely to put pen to paper for 12 months.
- Good old-fashioned motives for putting pen to paper.
- He then put pen to paper, and soon a stream of adjectives was flowing.
- I had written a very fine book in my head before arriving, without setting pen to paper.
- I have put pen to paper sparingly, aware that pictures speak louder than words.
- In February of 1942 and again in May of that year he had put pen to paper and logged his past.
- So if you are fun-loving and open-minded, put pen to paper.
- So why not put pen to paper and win a wardrobe of fashions.
- Besides, I wanted to put you in the picture.
- Call it: putting you in the picture.
- He put Maclean in the picture about his letter to Wilson.
- Perhaps he did not like to argue with Jean-Claude, suspecting that my lover may have been put fully in the picture.
- Then she remembered that she had promised to keep Sybil in the picture but decided that could wait as well.
- I'd like to put her in her place - she thinks she's so special.
- Battered and beleaguered, Arsenal had been put firmly in their place.
- The Administration of Justice Act 1982 swept away the remaining ones without putting anything in their place.
- Was Morrissey helped put them in their place.
- A lot of these modern theories about teaching sound really good until you actually try and put them into practice.
- New safety guidelines for factory workers will be put into practice next month.
- The office has been slow to put the new proposals into practice.
- But he came gradually to see its viability and to contemplate ways of putting it into practice.
- Jeremy Taylor is some one who can afford to put his principles into practice.
- Last week appeared to be the point at which he put the promise into practice.
- Let's hope some of our little fire raisers don't manage to get there and put the ad into practice.
- Make a habit of putting your AH-HAs into practice as soon as possible alter reading them.
- The next step is to put them into practice.
- Trials Lack of resources to put your visions into practice.
- While the federal policy shift began a decade ago, forest managers have been slow to put it into practice.
- Modern economies place a premium on educated workers.
- Barbara, as usual, seemed to be placing a premium on maintaining her composure.
- In my own garden, I put a premium on fresh greens.
- International book-building puts a premium on intermediaries' experience and ability to sell to 300-odd investing institutions around the world.
- Up and down hill fences pose problems for the horse by placing a premium on balance and impulsion.
- How can you put a price on Kryptonite, for instance?
- How do you put a price on nine years of being informed and entertained?
- Prominent ministers such as Henry Ward Beecher initially condemned the concept of putting a price on human life as sinful and sacrilegious.
- Then again, you can not put a price on what Augusta had to offer yesterday morning.
- Having set the record straight there is a paradox.
- He sets the record straight by a thorough reconsideration of Addison's Cato, that tragedy constantly overrated at the time.
- I want to set the record straight.
- Or a desire to put the record straight?
- Taylor was given the perfect platform to set the record straight at yesterday's press conference.
- They have a duty to set the record straight, otherwise they are conniving at falsehood.
- Many of the public's doubts have now been laid to rest.
- A second glance put my mind to rest, but for a moment there it gave me a turn.
- I think this definitely puts it to rest.
- Kwasniewski has said he may dissolve parliament to put the issue to rest and call for new elections.
- Rather it attempted to lay the movement to rest.
- She took the pills and lay down to rest with her eyes closed.
- The time has come to put this to rest.
- Then she lay down to rest in the lounge, surrounded by other women who even here never stopped talking.
- Without proof I should really lay the idea to rest.
- But let me set your mind at rest.
- But she'd like to see him, to try and set her mind at rest.
- He's been very kind to me and Lily, as regards putting our minds at rest about Stella.
- He's unlikely to know how you feel, and until he does, he can't put your mind at rest.
- He must set their minds at rest about the Freddie affair, because they knew of Freddie.
- I wish I could put their minds at rest.
- It puts my mind at rest.
- Quite often, all that is required is a friendly chat to put your mind at rest.
- He wanted to put the world to rights.
- If you mean to put everything to rights between yourself and Benedict, you must make an effort on your own account.
- This month, however, is my chance to put all that to rights.
- This usually put Dad to rights but must have been pretty potent stuff as it ceased to be available after the war.
- Just as I was putting down roots, our family had to move up north.
- For Ada, putting down roots opens a new life of discipline and learning.
- However, now that they had family responsibilities and were beginning to put down roots, they returned to their former church-going.
- I was going to put down roots, achieve something, give meaning to my existence.
- In their place, developers are building upscale subdivisions that tend to cater to newcomers less willing to put down roots.
- It puts down roots 10 feet deep, easily withstanding drought and even frequent fires.
- Meanwhile, people who might want to put down roots in the community are finding it prohibitively expensive.
- She's had 8 quarters, so it's hard to put down roots.
- What better way to put down roots, and what more suitable time than in the spring?
- And why should I try to throw you off the scent?
- But he'd got to put Graham off the scent.
- Or were they trying to put him off the scent?
- That put them off the scent.
- The aspirant towards a more spiritual way of life will be thrown entirely off the scent.
- Coca Cola's prize-winning advertising campaign has put all others in the shade.
- The generous response of the public to the disaster puts the government's contribution somewhat in the shade.
- Even now, sugar employs one-seventh of the work force, putting tourism in the shade.
- Her meagre supply of water runs out, and she puts Ishmael in the shade of a bush to die.
- We put him in the shade, the doily wrapped around his little orange body except for his face.
- Acapulco is a cosmopolitan city with a nightlife that puts Rio to shame.
- Matt's gourmet dinner really put my cooking to shame.
- The elegant way she was dressed put the rest of us to shame.
- He interviewed many of them, recording every detail with a care that put sighted journalists to shame.
- He puts us all to shame.
- He was immediately given some money which he took with the kind of abundant gratitude that puts the giver to shame.
- The cruel truth is that some animals put some humans to shame.
- They put the Instamatic to shame.
- They scarcely left it for the next two weeks, their passion putting her dreams to shame.
- He might have put up a good show the other day, but that was because he was frightened.
- She put up a better show in the 1980s.
- Graham has no plans to fly this aircraft at present and will put it to one side as soon as assembly and testing is complete.
- She put it to one side, and opened the folder of photographs.
- The paint that puts the skids under barnacles is being adopted by Porter International for protective coatings in the United States.
- Can I put it on the slate, and I'll pay at the end of the week?
- Anybody else would have put the mutt to sleep.
- During the first half of the 1980s, these cries actually put people to sleep.
- He puts you to sleep with those little jabs.
- Now I tend to find I need something else to put me to sleep.
- She had hoped to time her nightly visit to the nursery so that he was actually being put down to sleep.
- The shadow was flowing rhythmically, putting him to sleep.
- When harvest came, the people could put Hunger to sleep.
- That sort does all sorts of silly things, till experience tells them to put a sock in it.
- To avoid upsetting the kids, Dad spoke to Mum more than once in private, telling her to put a sock in it.
- I don't want to put you on the spot, but I'm really curious about how you know Tim.
- The reporter's questions were clearly designed to put the Senator on the spot.
- You shouldn't put friends on the spot by asking them to hire your family members.
- Now the Supreme Court has put him on the spot.
- That sure put you on the spot.
- The aim was to put them on the spot - or at least to impress the Inspector with your knowledge and concern.
- This put Charles on the spot.
- Look, President Clinton might host some questionable coffees, but he never would put the squeeze on a Brownie!
- Secondly, its effect could only be to put the squeeze on landowners who sat in the path of the reservoir.
- The Treasury number two has targeted the most vulnerable in the drive to put the squeeze on government spending.
- He won't stay put long enough for me to take his photo.
- I'm just going to stay put unless you need me to help you.
- I've decided to stay put until after Christmas, but after that I want to start looking for a new apartment.
- If you stay put, you'll be even more miserable in a year's time.
- But since it was extremely dark and nearly dawn, we stayed put.
- Dear Prudence would dictate staying put and waiting for air to come and retrieve him.
- Everything falling in exactly the same way is what is natural, not everything staying put the same way.
- If we stay put they can stay up there and fry the valley bottom, and us with it.
- If you had been out in the middle of space, far from anything else, they would have stayed put.
- Locals were told to evacuate, but Duane stayed put.
- Water exchange is limited, and any pollution will just stay put.
- When she stayed put, the men began pounding their fists on the tables as well.
- She decided to put a stop to their relationship.
- An attempt to annex nearby Epizephyrian Lokri was put a stop to by Hiero in 478.
- But the inquest put a stop to all that.
- I thought I'd put a stop to this nonsense!
- If I remember correctly, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar put a stop to that.
- The law officers should put a stop to the practice forthwith.
- There are some very dubious practices and we want to put a stop to them.
- They was charging people a dollar to see him before West put a stop to it.
- This should put a stop to the sort of attempt made by Hanson after it had successfully taken-over Imperial.
- Human experimenters have found it surprisingly difficult to put bats off their stride by playing loud artificial ultrasound at them.
- The High Elf army fell on the besiegers of Lothern, putting them to the sword.
- Kathy's students are putting her patience to the test.
- The war is putting some of the military's expensive new technology to the test.
- Again, put them to the test.
- Jealous voices reminded the Count of this again and again; eventually he decided to put her to the test.
- More shaming had been his reluctance to put it to the test.
- Naturally the two officers protest that their girls are different, but Alfonso persuades them to put it to the test.
- Rain could not bring herself to put this to the test.
- So she puts him to the test.
- Will the Prime Minister now put it to the test through the ballot box and let the people decide on his record?
- With markets falling and input prices rising, this is the ideal time to put them to the test.
- Instead, put on your thinking cap, and turn those prepared ingredients into new dishes.
- When we found the money and the drugs in his room, it was easy to put two and two together.
- As it is, Krauss is probably putting two and two together.
- He can be trusted to put two and two together.
- He saw the pits, he saw my father, and he put two and two together.
- His friends put two and two together, and so did the media, which beseiged his home by telephone and helicopter.
- If they found the coins they might put two and two together.
- In 1989 Congress put two and two together, in a programme to sell the government's houses to the poor.
- It is not difficult to put two and two together.
- Still nobody in the chemical industry put two and two together.
- I'd like a job where I could put my degree in languages to good use.
- But I am putting it to use.
- How do you put it to use in daily practice?
- It does not seem regressive to put it to use in the service of gay survival as well.
- Many large and medium size companies, government departments and Local authorities are putting Dataease to use somewhere within their organisations.
- Much of ecology is about this process: finding energy; putting it to use.
- The time has come to put your skills to use by developing a more useful and complex object orientated program.
- The trouble is we never stop long enough to put them to good use.
- Throughout the 1980s, researchers and company executives struggled with how to put Al to use.
- However; they had done little to develop emotional ideas and emotional thinking, to help Kyle put his feelings into words.
- I didn't mean that at all -- you're just putting words into my mouth!
- Stop putting words into my mouth - I never said I disliked the job.
- You're putting words into her mouth. You don't know what she thinks.
- Stop trying to put words into my mouth.
- I'll put in a good word for you with the management.
- He put in a good word for him at meetings of the Jockey Club.
- Only those who keep a dialogue going will be able to put in a word for persons in need of intercession.
- He wanted to put the world to rights.
- More recently Lou has cleaned up his act and started setting the world to rights.
- That straightness of Time, that confining straightness, was one with the Western picture of setting the world to rights.
He put the coffee on the table. Where did you put the programmes? → see Thesaurus box on 0000002change somebody’s situation/feelings [always + adverb/preposition] to make someone be in a situation or have a feeling: Don’t put yourself into a situation you can’t handle.put somebody 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 somebody 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.3write/print something to write or print something or to make a mark with a pen or pencilput something in/on/under etc something Put your name at the top of each answer sheet.put something to something He put his signature to the contract (=he signed it to show he agreed with it).► see thesaurus at write4express [always + adverb/preposition] to say or write something using words in a particular wayput something 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.5put a stop/an end to something to stop an activity that is harmful or unacceptable: We must put an end to their threats.6put something into action/effect/practice to start using a plan, idea, knowledge etc: James was keen to put some of the things he had learned into practice.7ask/suggest to ask a question or make a suggestion, especially to get someone’s opinion or agreementput a proposition/proposal/case etc to somebody He put the proposal to his wife.put something before somebody 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.8put something right to 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.9put somebody straight/right (also set somebody straight/right) to 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.10put something straight to make something look clean and tidy: It took us all weekend to put the garden straight.11make 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).12have importance/quality [always + adverb/preposition] to consider something as having a particular level of importance or qualityput somebody as/among/in etc something A recent poll put Dr Martens among the world’s top thirty designer labels.put somebody/something before somebody/something Some companies put profit before safety.put somebody/something first/second etc The job’s important to him, but he puts his family first.13send somebody somewhere [always + adverb/preposition] to arrange for someone to go to a place, or to make them go thereput somebody in (something) 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.14put somebody on a train/plane etc to take someone to a plane, train etc to start a journey: I put her on the plane for London.15put paid to something British English to spoil and end your hopes or plans completely: A car accident put paid to his chances of taking part in the race.16I wouldn’t put it past somebody (to do something) 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.17put somebody to trouble/inconvenience especially British English to make extra work or cause problems for someone18put it there spoken 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!19throw to throw a shot (=a heavy metal ball) in a sports competition → put your finger on something at finger1(4), → put your foot down at foot1(13), → put your foot in it at foot1(15), → put the record straight at record1(11), → put something to (good) use at use2(4), → put your back into it at back2(19)COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 4adverbswell· Sorry, I’m not putting it very well.simply· Put simply, our aim is to create art.succinctly (=using only a few words)· A Russian economist put it most succinctly: ‘People do not care about carbon.’mildly (=in a way that is not extreme)· His theory is controversial, to put it mildly.bluntly/crudely/plainly (=in a direct way that may offend people)· I would put it more bluntly. I think you are wallowing in self-pity.delicately (=in a way that will not offend people)· He had been drunk, or as Hilton delicately put it, ‘talkative’.cleverly· I didn't agree with her, but she put her argument so cleverly that I was almost persuaded.phrasesput something another way· The dress was too small for me, or, to put it another way, I was too big for it.put something this/that way· Let me put it this way - she's not as young as she was.put something like that/this· ‘He's been completely irresponsible.’ ‘I wouldn’t put it quite like that.’put something into words (=say what you are feeling or thinking)· She couldn’t put her feelings into words.how shall I/we put it? (=used before saying something in an indirect or polite way)· Mr Lewis is now – how shall we put it? – hardly the influence he once was.COLLOCATIONS– Meaning 7nounsput a question (to somebody)· I will be putting that very question to her.put a proposition/proposal to somebody· I’ve a proposition to put to you.put a point to somebody· You should put that point to the Chancellor.put a case (to somebody)· He wanted to put his case to the full committee.phrasesput it to somebody that· I put it to him that what we needed was some independent advice.COLLOCATIONSnounsput forward a proposal/suggestion· She put forward a compromise proposal.put forward a plan/scheme· Both parties have put forward plans for political reform.put forward an idea· In 1829 he put forward the idea that the Earth is contracting.put forward a theory/hypothesis· Many theories have been put forward as to the building’s original purpose.put forward a view· We should encourage individuals to put forward their views.put forward an argument· He rejected the arguments put forward by the company’s lawyers.put forward a reason/explanation· A variety of reasons have been put forward to explain these changes.THESAURUSput to move something to a particular place: · I’ve put the wine in the fridge.· Where have you put my grey shirt?place to put something somewhere carefully: · ‘It’s beautiful,’ he said, placing it back on the shelf.lay to put someone or something down carefully on a flat surface: · He laid all the money on the table.· She laid the baby on his bed.position to carefully put something in a suitable position: · Position the microphone to suit your height.· Troops were positioned around the city.slip to put something somewhere with a quick movement: · He slipped his arm around her waist.· Carrie quickly slipped the money into her bag.shove to put something into a space or container quickly or carelessly: · Shove anything you don’t want in that sack.· I’ve ironed those shirts so don’t just shove them in a drawer.stick (also bung British English) informal to put something somewhere quickly or carelessly: · I stuck the address in my pocket and I can’t find it now.· Could you bung those clothes in the washing machine?dump to put something down somewhere in a careless and untidy way: · Don’t just dump all your bags in the kitchen.· People shouldn’t dump rubbish at the side of the street.pop informal to quickly put something somewhere, usually for a short time: · Pop it in the microwave for a minute.thrust literary to put something somewhere suddenly or forcefully: · ‘Hide it,’ he said, thrusting the watch into her hand.to put something into a liquiddip to put something into a liquid for a very short time and take it out again: · She dipped her hand in the water to see how hot it was.· Prawns are delicious dipped in a spicy sauce.plunge to put something quickly, firmly, and deeply into a liquid: · Plunge the pasta into a pan of boiling water.· I had to plunge my arm in up to the elbow to reach the keys.dunk to put something such as a piece of bread or cake into a hot drink or soup before eating it: · I love biscuits dunked in coffee.immerse to put something deep into a liquid so that it is completely covered: · If the plant’s leaves look dry, immerse the roots in water for a while.put about phrasal verb1put something about British English 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.2put (something) about technical if a ship puts about or if you put it about, it changes direction3put yourself about British English informal to have sexual relationships with a lot of different peopleput something ↔ across phrasal verb1to explain your ideas, beliefs etc in a way that people can understand: He was trying to put across a serious point.2put yourself across British English 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.3to sing, play music, or act in a film or play in a clear effective way: She can really put a song across.put something ↔ aside phrasal verb1to 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.2to save money regularly, usually for a particular purpose: She put at least £30 a week aside for food.3to 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.4to 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 something at something phrasal verb to calculate or guess an amount, number, age etc, without being very exact: Her fortune was put at £5.5 million.put somebody/something away phrasal verb1put something ↔ away to put something in the place where it is usually kept: He put his toys away every night.2put something ↔ away to save money: We’re putting some money away for expenses.3put somebody away informal to 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.4put something ↔ away informal to eat or drink a lot: It’s amazing the amount that child can put away.5put something ↔ away informal to score a goal, especially after other failed attempts: He seized the opportunity to put the ball away.6put something ↔ away American English informal to defeat your opponent in a sports competition: Two plays later, Smith scored to put the game away.put something back phrasal verb1put somebody/something ↔ back to 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.2put something ↔ back to arrange for an event to start at a later time or date SYN postponeput back to The meeting has been put back to next Thursday.3put something ↔ back to delay a process or activity by a number of weeks, months etc: This fire could put back the opening date by several weeks.4to make someone or something have something that they used to have before: The win put a smile back on his face.5put a clock/watch back British English to make a clock or watch show an earlier time SYN set back American English → put the clock back at clock1(3)put something behind you phrasal verb to 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 something ↔ by phrasal verb to 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 phrasal verb1place put something/somebody ↔ down to put something or someone that you are holding or carrying onto a surface: Put those heavy bags down for a minute.2criticize put somebody ↔ down to criticize someone and make them feel silly or stupid SYN belittle: I hate the way Dave puts me down the whole time.put yourself down Stop putting yourself down.3write put something ↔ down to write something, especially a name or number, on a piece of paper or on a list SYN write down: Put down your name and address.4put down a revolution/revolt/rebellion etc to stop a revolution etc by using force: The uprising was put down by the police and the army.5pay put something ↔ down to pay part of the total cost of something, so that you can pay the rest laterput down on They put down a deposit on the goods until Christmas.6baby put somebody down to put a baby in its bed: We try to put Amy down at six every evening.7put the phone down to put the receiver back onto the telephone when you have finished speaking to someone SYN hang upput down on She put the phone down on me (=suddenly ended the conversation).8kill put something ↔ down to kill an animal without causing it pain, usually because it is old or sick SYN put something to sleep: We had to have the dog put down.9I couldn’t put it down spoken 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.10aircraft put (something) down if 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.11put down a motion/an amendment to suggest a subject, plan, change in the law etc for a parliament or committee to consider12leave passenger put somebody down British English 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 somebody down as something phrasal verb to 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 somebody down for something phrasal verb1to 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.2put somebody down for £5/£20 etc especially British English to write someone’s name on a list with an amount of money that they have promised to giveput something down to something phrasal verb1to think that something is caused by something else: I was having difficulty reading, which I put down to the poor light.2put it down to experience to 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 something phrasal verb1to suggest an idea, explanation etc, especially one that other people later consider and discuss SYN submit: Arguments were put forth for changing some of the rules of the game.2put forth leaves/shoots/roots etc formal if a tree or bush puts forth leaves etc, it begins to grow themput somebody/something ↔ forward phrasal verb1to suggest a plan, proposal, idea etc for other people to consider or discuss SYN propose: They put forward a number of suggestions.2to 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.3to arrange for an event to start at an earlier time or dateput forward to The men’s final has been put forward to 1:30.4put a clock/watch forward British English to make a clock or watch show a later time SYN set forward American Englishput in phrasal verb1put something ↔ in to fix a piece of equipment somewhere and connect it so that it is ready to be used SYN install: We decided to have a new bathroom put in.2put something ↔ in to spend time or use energy working or practising something: Dorothy had put in a lot of hard work during her six years as chairperson.3put in something written to interrupt someone in order to say something: ‘How old are you?’ ‘Sixteen.’ ‘I’m sixteen too,’ put in Dixie.4put something ↔ in to ask for something in an official way: She put in an insurance claim. We must put in an order by tonight.put in for something I put in for a pay increase.5put your faith/trust/confidence in somebody/something to trust someone or something or believe that they can do something: I’m putting my faith in the appeal judges.6put in something to 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.7put in an appearance to 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.8if a ship puts in, it enters a portput something into something phrasal verb1to make money available to be used for a particular purpose: The government appears to be putting more money into education.2to use a lot of energy etc when you are doing an activity: Candidates put a lot of time and effort into gaining qualifications.3to add a quality to something: These simple recipes put more fun into eating.put somebody/something off phrasal verb1 put something ↔ off to 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 SYN delay, procrastinate: The match has been put off until tomorrow because of bad weather.put off doing something I put off going to the doctor but I wish I hadn’t.2 put somebody ↔ off British English 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 somebody off (doing) something Don’t let your failures put you off trying harder.3 put somebody off to make someone wait because you do not want to meet them, pay them etc until later SYN stall: When he calls, put him off as long as you can.4 put somebody off (something) British English 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 somebody off (something) British English to let someone leave a vehicle at a particular place: I’ll put you off at the supermarket.put somebody/something on phrasal verb1clothes put something ↔ on to put a piece of clothing on your body OPP 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.2on skin put something ↔ on to put make-up, cream etc on your skin: I’ve got to put this cream on twice a day.3affect/influence something put something on something to 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.4start equipment put something ↔ on to make a light or a piece of equipment start working by pressing or turning a button or switch SYN switch on, turn on: He got up and put on the light. Shall I put the kettle on?5music put something ↔ on to put a record, tape, or CD into a machine and start playing it: She put on some music while they ate.6pretend put something ↔ on to 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).7put on weight/12 lbs/4 kg etc to become fatter and heavier SYN gain: Rosie’s put on five kilos since she quit smoking.8event/concert/play etc put something ↔ on to arrange for a concert, play etc to take place, or to perform in it: One summer the children put on a play.9show what you can do put something ↔ on to show what you are able to do or what power you have: The team need to put on another world-class performance.10cook put something ↔ on to start cooking something: Shall I put the pasta on now?11provide something put something ↔ on British English to provide a service for people, especially a special one: BA is putting on extra flights to cover the Christmas rush.12you’re putting me on! American English spoken used to tell someone that you think they are joking: He wouldn’t do that – you’re putting me on.13risk money put something on something to risk an amount of money on the result of a game, race etc SYN bet: We put £50 on Brazil to win the Cup.14add put something on something to add an amount of money or tax onto the cost of something: Can smokers really complain if more tax is put on cigarettes?15telephone put somebody ↔ on to give someone the telephone so that they can talk to someone who is telephoning: Can you put Janet on?put somebody onto somebody/something phrasal verb British English 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 phrasal verb1fire/cigarette etc put something ↔ out to make a fire etc stop burning SYN extinguish: The rescue services are still trying to put out the fires.2light put something ↔ out to make a light stop working by pressing or turning a button or switch SYN switch off3make available put something ↔ out to put things where people can find and use them: The girls helped her to put out the cups and plates.4feel/be put out to feel upset or offended: We were a little put out at not being invited to the wedding.5make extra work put somebody out to make extra work or cause problems for someone: Mary can’t come to dinner tonight. She hopes it won’t put you out.6put yourself out to make an effort to do something that will help someone: They had put themselves out to entertain her during her visit.7take outside put something ↔ out to 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)8put your tongue out to push your tongue out of your mouth, especially as a rude sign to someone9put your hand/foot/arm out to move your hand etc forward and away from your body: He put out his hand toward her.10make unconscious put somebody out to make someone unconscious before a medical operation11put your back out to injure your back12produce something put something ↔ out to broadcast or produce something for people to read or listen to: They put out a half-hour programme on young refugees.13put out feelers to 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.14ship if a ship puts out, it starts to sail15have sex American English informal if a woman puts out, she has sex with a man16baseball put somebody out to prevent a baseball player from running around the bases, for example by catching the ball that they have hitput something ↔ over phrasal verb1 British English to succeed in telling other people your ideas, opinions, feelings etc: The advert puts over the message clearly and simply: nuclear power is clean.2put one/something over on somebody informal to deceive someone into believing something that is not true or that is useless: Nobody could put one over on him.put through phrasal verb1put somebody/something ↔ through to connect someone to someone else on the telephoneput through to Could you put me through to Eddie?2put somebody through school/college/university to pay for someone to study at school, college etc: She worked as a waitress and put herself through school.3put somebody through something to 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.4put something ↔ through to 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 something ↔ together phrasal verb1to prepare or produce something by collecting pieces of information, ideas etc: It took all morning to put the proposal together.2to form people or things into a group: We are currently putting together a sales and marketing team.3to make a machine, model etc by joining all the different parts SYN assemble: I can’t work out how to put this table together.4more ... than the rest/the others/everything else put together used 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 something towards something phrasal verb to use some money in order to pay part of the cost of something: Alec put the money towards a trip to Australia.put somebody under phrasal verb if a doctor puts you under, they give you drugs to make you unconscious before surgeryput up phrasal verb1build put something ↔ up to build something such as a wall, fence, building etc SYN erect: They’re putting up several new office blocks in the centre of town.2for people to see put something ↔ up to 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.3attach something put something ↔ up to attach a shelf, cupboard etc to a wall: My dad put up five shelves.4increase put something ↔ up British English to increase the cost or value of something SYN raise: Most big stores admit they daren’t put prices up for fear of losing their customers.5raise put something ↔ up to 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.6let somebody stay put somebody up to let someone stay in your house and give them meals: I was hoping Kenny could put me up for a few days.7stay somewhere British English to stay in a place for a short timeput up at/in/with We can put up at a hotel for the night.8put up a fight/struggle/resistance to 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.9put up something to give an amount of money for a particular purpose: The paper put up a reward for information on the murder.10make available put something up to make something or someone available for a particular purposeput up for They put their house up for sale. The baby was put up for adoption.11put up a proposal/argument/case etc to 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.12elections put somebody ↔ up to suggest someone as a suitable person to be elected to a position: I was put up for the committee.13put up or shut up spoken informal used to tell someone that they should either do what needs to be done or stop talking about itput somebody up to something phrasal verb to encourage someone to do something stupid or dangerous: ‘Did Shirley put you up to this?’ ‘No, it was my own idea.’put up with somebody/something phrasal verb to accept an unpleasant situation or person without complaining: She put up with his violent temper.RegisterIn written English, people usually prefer to use tolerate, which is more formal:· They had to tolerate many hardships.