Language Research

put · verb T

/pʊt/Full view

put sth down/in/on, etc.

A1 to move something to a place or position

Dictionary examples:

She put the bag on the table.

Put your clothes in the closet.

She put her hands over her eyes.

I put my arms around him.

Where did you put the keys?

Learner example:

My parents bought many books for me, [and] I put them in my room. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Mandarin)

put (WRITE)

A2 to write something

Dictionary examples:

She puts her name in all her books.

He asked me to put more information in the proposal about the costs.

You should put your name on the list if you want to go on the school trip.

Could you put your signature here?

Learner example:

Please can you help me put my n[a]me on the list. (Skills for Life (Entry 2); A2; Romanian)

put (CAUSE)

B2 to cause someone or something to be in a particular condition or situation

Dictionary examples:

What put you in such a bad mood?

I'm not prepared to put my children at risk.

I'm looking forward to putting my ideas into practice.

The city council has put the mayor under pressure to get this problem dealt with.

He's been put on trial for fraud.

Learner example:

If we put my plan into practice, we can help to resolve the city's financial problems and reduce local taxes. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)

put sb in a difficult position

C1 to cause someone to be in a difficult situation

Dictionary example:

When two of your best friends argue it puts you in a very difficult position.

Learner example:

I know that I will put you in a difficult position with my absence but I must leave. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

put something into practice

C1 to do something in reality that has been planned or talked about

Dictionary examples:

Next month we will have a chance to put these ideas into practice.

How do you intend to put these proposals into practice?

Learner example:

The doctors cannot really put all their skills into practice. (Skills for Life (Level 2); C1; Italian)

put (SAY)

C2 to say something using particular words

Dictionary example:

I need to tell him I don't like it but I don't know how to put it.

Learner example:

Although I agree that there are awful programs on, I think a total ban would be, how shall I put it, exag[g]erate[d]. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)

put an end to sth

B2 to cause something to stop

Dictionary example:

We must put an end to violence.

Learner example:

That is all I can say about [what] I have seen [o]n my last visit to the zoo, and in my opinion the authorities have to do something in order to put an end to it. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

put pressure on sb

B2 to try to force someone to do something

Dictionary example:

They're putting pressure on me to make a decision.

Learner example:

She puts a lot of pressure on me and beli[e]ves that I can do it in the same way as she did. (First Certificate in English; B2; Danish)

put your mind to it

C1 to give your full attention to something and try very hard to do it

Dictionary example:

You could win if you put your mind to it.

Learner example:

With all the technology available, the task is actually quite simple if you put your mind to it. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Swedish)

put a stop to sth

C1 to end something unpleasant

Dictionary example:

We must put a stop to the violence.

Learner example:

Maybe these new activities (video - video games), which are quite distracti[ng], are at the same time so addictive that youngsters find it hard to put a stop to it. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Italian)

put sb to death

C2 to kill someone as a punishment

Dictionary example:

She was put to death for her beliefs.

Learner example:

He has become dangerous for Jack and must thus be eliminated, put to death. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; French)

put your finger on sth

C2 to understand exactly why a situation is the way it is

Dictionary example:

Something was wrong, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

Learner example:

Something sinister about the picture, he felt, but he couldn't put his finger on what made him [think this]. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Korean)

put sb/sth first

C2 to consider someone or something to be the most important thing

Dictionary example:

Most couples put their children first when sorting out their problems.

Learner example:

On the other hand, we forget about our personality and the worth that we have as individuals; we put our wishes first, [rather] than what we really need in life. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)

put your foot down

C2 to tell someone in a strong way that they must do something or must stop doing something

Dictionary example:

I decided to put my foot down with my staff and insist that they do not send personal emails in work time.

Learner example:

Finally, I would like to appeal to other readers of the "Cyprus Weekly," who might even be living near my area, to put your foot down and apply any pressure you can on people who can do something about the situation. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

put your feet up

C2 to relax, especially by sitting with your feet supported above the ground

Dictionary example:

Put your feet up for half an hour before the kids get home.

Learner example:

You have done your work and now you can put your feet up. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Japanese)

put sb in their place

C2 to let someone know that they are not as important as they think they are

Dictionary example:

He was rather arrogant, but the other kids soon put him in his place.

put sth to one side

C2 to not use or deal with something now, but keep it for a later time

Dictionary example:

She put the papers to one side, intending to read them later.

put sb to death

C2 to kill someone as a punishment

Dictionary example:

The convicted murderers will be put to death.

Learner example:

He has become dangerous for Jack and must thus be eliminated, put to death. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; French)

put sb on the spot

C2 to ask someone a question which is difficult or embarrassing to answer at that time

Dictionary example:

Sorry to put you on the spot, but I really need an answer.

put your finger on sth

C2 to understand exactly why a situation is the way it is

Dictionary example:

Something was wrong, but I couldn't put my finger on it.

Learner example:

Something sinister about the picture, he felt, but he couldn't put his finger on what made him [think this]. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Korean)

put sb/sth first

C2 to consider someone or something to be the most important thing

Dictionary example:

Most couples put their children first.

Learner example:

put your foot down

C2 to tell someone in a strong way that they must do something or must stop doing something

Dictionary example:

When she started borrowing my clothes without asking, I had to put my foot down.

Learner example:

put your feet up

C2 to relax, especially by sitting with your feet supported above the ground

Dictionary example:

Put your feet up for half an hour before the kids get home.

Learner example:

You have done your work and now you can put your feet up. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Japanese)

put your foot in your mouth

C2 to say something you should not say, especially something embarrassing

Dictionary example:

He makes outrageous comments and is always putting his foot in his mouth.

put sth aside

C1 to save money for a particular purpose

Dictionary example:

She puts aside $100 a month to save for vacation.

Learner example:

Well, as soon as I got first major consulting contract - I started to put some money aside to buy my dream house - I managed a big down payment and rest was taken care of by the bank. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Hindi)

put sth aside (PROBLEM)

C2 to ignore a problem or disagreement so that you can achieve something

Dictionary example:

Putting aside practical difficulties, I think the proposal sounds really interesting.

Learner example:

But I really wanted to do this for her, so I put my fears aside, and went on with the trip, which I hoped would be a short one. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)

put away sth or put sth away

B1 to put something in the place or container where you usually keep it

Dictionary example:

Put your toys away now.

Learner example:

In the wardrobe there is no[t] enough room to put all my stuff away. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Turkish)

put back sth or put sth back

B1 to put something where it was before it was moved

Dictionary example:

I put the book back on the shelf.

Learner example:

I must have set [out] thousands [of] chairs correctly and after finishing I put them back nicely. (First Certificate in English; B2; Japanese)

put down sb/sth or put sb/sth down

B1 to put someone or something that you are holding onto the floor or onto another surface

Dictionary examples:

I put my bags down while we talked.

Put me down, Dad!

Learner example:

I lost something while I was out last week. I was at the airport and I [was] waiting for my luggage. I put my scarf down and when my luggage arrived, I [left]. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)

put down sth or put sth down

B1 If you put the phone down, you put the part of the telephone that you speak into back to its usual position.

Dictionary example:

It was only when I'd put the phone down that I realized what he'd said.

Learner example:

"I'll be there in a minute," answered Carla quickly and put the phone down. (First Certificate in English; B2; Hungarian)

put down sb or put sb down

B2 to write someone's name on a list or document, usually in order to arrange for them to do something

Dictionary example:

I've put you down for the trip to Rome next week.

put sth forward or put forward sth

C1 to state an idea or opinion, or to suggest a plan, so that it can be considered or discussed

Dictionary example:

The government has put forward proposals to raise the drinking age.

Learner example:

Secondly, we would like to put forward some ideas on how to improve your catering facilities. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Russian)

put off sth/doing sth or put sth off

B1 to arrange to do something at a later time

Dictionary examples:

The meeting has been put off until the first week in June.

I can't put off going to the dentist any longer.

Learner example:

Finally, I would like to ask you if your offer is still available in September because it would be the most suitable time for us. Otherwise we would have to put off our other plans. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)

put off sb or put sb off (sb/sth/doing sth)

B2 to make someone dislike something or someone, or to discourage someone from doing something

Dictionary examples:

I didn't enjoy the movie but don't let that put you off.

I was put off by his aggressive attitude.

Learner example:

As I told you I intended to go Paris, but the weather forecast was appalling enough to put me off. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

put on sth or put sth on (CLOTHES)

A2 to put clothes or shoes onto your body

Dictionary example:

Put your coat on - it's cold outside.

Learner example:

And I want you to put on some baggy clothes, so that you'll feel comfortable while working. (Key English Test; A2; Rajasthani)

put on sth or put sth on (MAKEUP)

A2 to put makeup or cream onto your skin

Dictionary examples:

Is there a mirror somewhere? I need to put my makeup on.

Did you put on suntan lotion?

Learner example:

The girls go to buy a beautiful dress in Valencia, and cut their hair and put on some make up. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

put on sth or put sth on (MUSIC/MOVIE)

A2 to start a machine to play music, a movie, etc.

Dictionary example:

Would you mind if I put some music on?

Learner example:

At the end we put on the music and we danced until 3 am. (Key English Test; A2; French)

put on sth or put sth on (WEIGHT)

B1 If someone puts on weight, they become heavier.

Dictionary example:

She put on about 10 pounds.

Learner example:

I've put on weight. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Korean)

put out sth or put sth out

B1 to make something that is burning stop burning

Dictionary example:

They managed to put out the fire.

Learner example:

The fire-engine came at last to put out the fire. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)

put sb through

B1 to connect someone using a telephone to the person they want to speak to

Dictionary example:

Can you put me through to customer service, please?

Learner example:

I call[ed] and I was put through [to] the manager, [who] told me that there were some problems and the tv man [hadn't] been able to come. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

put sth together or put together sth (JOIN PARTS)

B2 to put the parts of something in the correct place and join them to each other

Dictionary example:

You buy the bookcase in pieces and then put it together yourself.

put sth together or put together sth (PREPARE)

C1 to prepare a piece of work by collecting several ideas and suggestions and organizing them

Dictionary example:

to put together a plan/proposal

Learner example:

We have put together here a few good points in order to make your money last a little bit longer. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Catalan)

put up sth or put sth up (RAISE)

B1 to raise something, or to fix something in a raised position

Dictionary examples:

I put my hand up to ask the teacher a question.

They've put a few pictures up on the wall.

Learner example:

If you want to order some food, you just need to put your hand up and they will come to serve you immediately. (First Certificate in English; B2; Chinese)

put up sth or put sth up (SPREAD)

B1 to spread something that is folded or rolled up, such as a tent, umbrella, etc. so that it is ready to be used

Dictionary examples:

We put the tent up near a river.

I'll put my umbrella up.

Learner example:

We drove the [w]hole day and in the evening we put up a tent and slept. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Swiss German)

put up sth or put sth up (BUILD)

B2 to build something

Dictionary examples:

They're planning to put a hotel up where the museum used to be.

We're going to put up a new fence around our garden.

Learner example:

Therefore I suggest [you] put up a small wall between the café and the ticket office. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)

put up sb or put sb up

B2 to let someone stay in your home for a short period

Dictionary example:

If you need somewhere to stay we can put you up for the night.

Learner example:

We'll put all of you up with pleasure! (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)

put up with sth/sb

B2 to accept unpleasant behavior or an unpleasant situation, although you do not like it

Dictionary examples:

I can put up with the house being messy, but I hate it if it's not clean.

He's so rude - I don't know how she puts up with him.

Learner example:

You can do anything you want sitting comfortabl[y] in your house with your computer instead of going out and putting up with traffic jams, bad weather or rude people. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)