Phrasal Verbs with “Put”

Here’s the ultimate list of phrasal verbs with “put.”

“Put about” Meaning and Examples

To gossip, to spread false news, to lie about something with a lot of people. In some cases, native speakers use put around or put round with the same meaning as put about. 

Example

Andrea has been putting it about that I’m resigning. She’s such a gossip.

Andrea has been spreading the false news that I’m resigning. She’s such a gossip.

There have been some rumors that Carla is pregnant. Her roommate has been putting it around.

There have been some rumors that Carla is pregnant. Her roommate has been gossiping about it.

“Put across” Meaning and Examples

To explain something, to transmit something clearly, also used as put oneself across. In some cases, natives might use put over with the same meaning. 

Example

The teacher has an amazing way of putting the topics across. I can really understand him.

The teacher has an amazing way of explaining the topics. I can really understand him. 

Jenny’s speech was amazing. She really put herself across.

Jenny’s speech was amazing. She really transmitted her ideas clearly.

“Put aside” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 – Put aside

To ignore something, to not concentrate on something so as to focus on something else.

Example

After a long meeting, the parties agreed to put aside their differences and work together.

After a long meeting, the parties agreed to ignore their differences and work together.

Meaning 2 – Put aside

To save money.

Example

If we want to go to the Maldives in Summer, we need to start putting money aside now.

If we want to go to the Maldives in Summer, we need to start saving money now.

Meaning 3 – Put aside

To keep time free to do something.

Example

I work a lot, but I always set aside one day a week to spend it with my mom.

I work a lot, but I always keep one day a week free to spend it with my mom. 

Meaning 4 – Put aside

To keep something apart so as to buy it or use it later, to save something for a client in a store.

Example

Chandler didn’t have his credit card with him, so he asked the store to put the ring aside to buy it later.

Chandler didn’t have his credit card with him, so he asked the store to save the ring for him to buy it later.

“Put at” Meaning and Examples

To assign a price, to calculate the amount or size of something.

Example

At the auction, the painting was put at 10.000$. 

At the auction, the painting was assigned a price of 10.000$.

“Put away” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 – Put away 

To store something, to put something where it usually goes.

Example

Remember to put the toys away when you finish playing boys. I don’t want them in the living room again.

Remember to store the toys when you finish playing, boys. I don’t want them in the living room again. 

Meaning 2 – Put away 

To eat a lot of something.

Example

You wouldn’t believe how fast Josh can put away a whole pizza.

You wouldn’t believe how fast Josh can eat a whole pizza. 

Meaning 3 – Put away 

To send someone to prison or a mental health institution, to imprison someone.

Example

After what he did, he should be put away for life!

After what he did, he should be imprisoned for life!

“Put back” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 – Put back 

To return something to its former position, to put something where it was before it was moved.

Example

Please put the headphones back in their case when you finish listening to music.

Please return the headphones to their case when you finish listening to music. 

Meaning 2 – Put back 

To delay something.

Example

The pandemic has put back the movie premier. We will have to wait a bit longer. 

The pandemic has delayed the movie premier. We will have to wait a bit longer. 

Meaning 3 – Put back 

To change the time of a clock to an earlier time. 

Example

Is this time change really necessary? I’m tired of putting back my clocks.

Is this time change really necessary? I’m tired of changing the time of all my clocks.

“Put before” Meaning and Examples

To formally propose something to someone. 

Example

The representatives will put a new relief program before the Senate.

The representatives will formally propose a new relief program to the Senate.

“Put by” Meaning and Examples 

To save money.

Example

I try to put some money by every month. I want to buy a car soon.

I try to save some money every month. I want to buy a car soon. 

“Put down” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 – Put down

To place something on a surface, to put something on the floor or a lower place.

Example

Jerry put down his suitcase before entering the room. 

Jerry put his suitcase on the floor before entering the room. 

Meaning 2 – Put down

To criticize someone.

Example

I don’t like that teacher. He is always putting down students in front of the whole class.

I don’t like that teacher. He is always criticizing students in front of the whole class. 

Meaning 3 – Put down

To kill an animal because it is too old or because it is dangerous. 

Example

Our dog was too old and we had to put him down. The vet did it.

Our dog was too old and we had to kill him. The vet did it.

Meaning 4 – Put down

To write something on paper.

Example

All of you need to put down the instructions. I don’t want you asking things during the weekend.

All of you need to write the instructions. I don’t want you asking things during the weekend. 

Meaning 5 – Put down

To pay the first part of something bought in installments.

Example

Malcolm put down the deposit for his first car. He is really proud of it.

Malcolm paid for the first part of his first car. He is really proud of it. 

Meaning 6 – Put down

To put a baby to sleep.

Example

I just put down Eve, do you want to watch a movie?

I just put Eve to sleep, do you want to watch a movie?

Meaning 7 – Put down

Used as put down as, it refers to assuming something of someone or having a preconception of someone.

Example

I never thought you would be so scared. I had put you down as a brave girl.

I never thought you would be so scared. I had assumed you were a brave girl. 

Meaning 8 – Put down

Used as put sth down for, it refers to enrolling or to writing your name on a list to participate in something.

Example

They were recruiting people so I put my name down for theater classes.

They were recruiting people, so I enrolled in theater classes.

Meaning 9 – Put down

Used as put down to, it refers to justifying something or giving something as a reason for something else.

Example

I put down his anger to a problem at work. That is the only explanation I can think of. 

I justify his anger with a problem at work. That is the only explanation I can think of. 

“Put forth” Meaning and Examples

To present an idea or proposal, also used as put forward.

Example

The representatives put forth a new green deal. They will discuss it today.

The representatives presented a new green deal. They will discuss it today. 

“Put in” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 – Put in

To spend time doing something, to make an effort.

Example

Angie has been putting in extra hours to pay for the repairs of her car.

Angie has been working extra hours to pay for the repairs of her car. 

Jaylen put in a lot of work to pass his exam. It worked for him.

Jaylen made an effort to pass his exam. It worked for him. 

Meaning 2 – Put in

To install something.

Example

The workers will come next week to put in the new closet. After that, the house is ready.

The workers will come next week to install the new closet. After that, the house is ready.

Meaning 3 – Put in

To submit a request.

Example

I will put in a claim for the damages done to my property. 

I will submit a claim for the damages done to my property.

Meaning 4 – Put in

To interrupt someone who is speaking.

Example

Jason was talking when Karla suddenly put in a counterargument.

Jason was talking when Karla suddenly interrupted him with a counterargument. 

Meaning 5 – Put in

To invest money in a business.

Example

He put 500.000$ in his startup. I hope it pays off.

He invested 500.000$ in his startup. I hope it pays off. 

Meaning 6 – Put in

Used as to put something in someone/something, it refers to giving something such as trust, responsibility, or faith to someone. 

Example

The team put all his faith in the last shot. Unfortunately, they missed.

The team gave all his faith to the last shot. Unfortunately, they missed.

“Put off” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 – Put off

To not want to do something because of something else, to not like something, to influence negatively.

Example

His behavior always puts me off. I don’t understand why he acts like that. 

I don’t like his behavior. I don’t understand why he acts like that. 

Meaning 2 – Put off

To delay something, to postpone something. In some cases, natives might use put over with the same meaning.

Example

I didn’t feel ready, so I was trying to put off the meeting.

I didn’t feel ready, so I was trying to delay the meeting. 

The event had to be put off due to the storm. We will do it next week.

The event had to be postponed due to the storm. We will do it next week. 

Meaning 3 – Put off

To distract someone, to not allow someone to concentrate.

Example

Stop making that sound. You are putting me off, and I have to do my homework.

Stop making that sound. You are distracting me, and I have to do my homework.

Meaning 4 – Put off

To switch off a device, to turn off a device.

Example

Please put off your phones. The exam is about to begin.

Please turn off your phones. The exam is about to begin. 

“Put on” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 – Put on

To wear something, to use something, to apply something.

Example

It is freezing outside. You need to put on your coats.

It is freezing outside. You need to wear your coats.

I never leave my house without putting on my watch. It’s part of my outfit.

I never leave my house without using my watch. It’s part of my outfit.

Marla is still putting on her makeup. We will arrive late for the movie.

Marla is still applying the makeup. We will arrive late for the movie.

Meaning 2 – Put on

To turn something on, to switch something on, opposite of put off.

Example

Would you mind putting on the lights? I can’t see anything.

Would you mind turning on the lights? I can’t see anything. 

Meaning 3 – Put on

To organize a show.

Example

The band will put on a show at the club tonight. We should go.

The band will organize a show at the club tonight. We should go. 

Meaning 4 – Put on

To pretend something, to act something, to fake something.

Example

We thought Deborah was mad, but she was just putting it on. She had us there.

We thought Deborah was mad, but she was just faking it. She had us there. 

Meaning 5 – Put on

To gain weight.

Example

I always put on some weight when I visit my grandma. It’s inevitable.

I always gain some weight when I visit my grandma. It’s inevitable. 

Meaning 6 – Put on

To start cooking something, to prepare something.

Example

I’ll put on some coffee for everybody. Give me a second.

I’ll prepare some coffee for everybody. Give me a second. 

“Put out” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 – Put out

To extinguish a fire, to cause something to stop burning.

Example

Jenny had to rapidly put off her cigarette when her mother appeared.

Jenny had to rapidly extinguish her cigarette when her mother appeared.

The firefighters spent the night trying to put out the fire caused by the gas leak.

The firefighters spent the night trying to extinguish the fire caused by the gas leak. 

Meaning 2 – Put out

To put something within reach for somebody or something else, to take something out of the house.

Example

I put some food out for the squirrels to come near the house.

I put some food within reach for the squirrels to come near the house. 

Please remember to put out the trash. If you let it there, the house will stink.

Please remember to take the trash out of the house. If you let it there, the house will stink. 

“Put through” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 – Put through 

To make someone experience something bad or unpleasant.

Example

Her boyfriend put her through a lot. We should help her.

Her boyfriend made her experience unpleasant things. We should help her. 

Meaning 2 – Put through 

To communicate with someone through the phone, to connect someone with the final speaker through the phone, to pass the call.

Example

I would like to talk to the manager. Could you put me through?

I would like to talk to the manager. Could you connect me with him through the phone?

Meaning 3 – Put through 

To pay for someone’s education.

Example

My grandfather put me through university. I thank him for giving me this opportunity.

My grandfather paid for my education at university. I thank him for giving me this opportunity.

“Put to” Meaning and Examples

To present something to be discussed, to ask something.

Example

She put her proposal to the board. They are considering it right now.

She presented her proposal to the board. They are considering it right now.

The students put the questions to the teacher. They are waiting for his reply.

The students asked the questions to the teacher. They are waiting for his reply. 

“Put together” Meaning and Examples

To organize something, to create something using parts, to create a team.

Example

We should put together a little reunion and invite people tonight.

We should organize a little reunion and invite people tonight.

Let’s put together these ingredients and prepare some dinner. What do you say?

Let’s create something with these ingredients and prepare some dinner. What do you say?

The board put them together to evaluate the performance of the employers.

The board created a team to evaluate the performance of the employers.

“Put towards” Meaning and Examples

To contribute financially.

Example

We should all put 5$ towards helping the teacher. He is sick and needs the money.

We should all contribute with 5$ to help the teacher. He is sick and needs the money. 

“Put under” Meaning and Examples

To make someone unconscious using anesthesia.

Example

The doctor put me under before beginning the surgery. 

The doctor made me unconscious with anesthesia before beginning the surgery.

“Put up” Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1 – Put up 

To build something, to erect something.

Example

We need to put up a fence in the backyard. Animals are getting inside.

We need to build a fence in the backyard. Animals are getting inside. 

Meaning 2 – Put up 

To fix something onto a wall or any other structure.

Example

You should see my sister’s room. She put up Justin Bieber’s posters all over it.

You should see my sister’s room. She fixed Justin Bieber’s posters onto the walls. 

Meaning 3 – Put up 

To shelter or house someone.

Example

I will be in New Jersey on Monday. Do you think you could put me up for the night?

I will be in New Jersey on Monday. Do you think you could house me for the night?

Meaning 4 – Put up 

Used as put up with, it refers to tolerating something, to enduring something.

Example

I cannot put up with his annoying voice. I cannot attend his lessons.

I cannot tolerate his annoying voice. I cannot attend his lessons.