put/set somebody right

put (someone) right

To correct someone's attitude, belief, or behavior; to make sure someone understands something correctly. I had to put Stephen right after I realized that he'd been operating the machinery wrong this whole time. Helen told me she thought the moon landing was faked, so I had to put her right!See also: put, right

set something right

 and make something right; make something good; put something rightto correct something; to alter a situation to make it more fair. This is a very unfortunate situation. I'll ask the people responsible to set this matter right. I'm sorry that we overcharged you. We'll try to put it right. I know I owe you some money, but don't worry, I'll make it good.See also: right, set

put right

Fix, make amends, correct, as in The wheel's come off, but we can put that right in no time, or Victor thought we were moving out, but we put him right. [Late 1800s] See also: put, right

set right

Also, put right. 1. Place something in proper position; also, repair something. For example, Your tie is lopsided; let me set it right, or The faucets were in backwards but the plumber will soon put them right. [Second half of 1500s] 2. Correct someone, as in They thought he was married but he quickly set them right. 3. Make something accurate or fair, as in He offered to pay for the meal to put things right. Also see set straight. See also: right, set

put/set somebody ˈright


1 tell somebody the truth about something because they have not understood or they have the wrong information: She was telling everybody that I’d written the report so I soon put her right.
2 make somebody feel better: These tablets should put you right.See also: put, right, set, somebody