Page 343 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

put someone down (for something)

you act silly all the time, people will put self across błtter. 3. [with something] to
you down as a fool. cànvinc someone of something; to get
aŁplanŁaccepted.Ł After many włeks of
putŁ someone dłwn (fłrŁ something) to put trying, we were unable to put our plan
sàmeone’sŁname on a list of people who across. They refused to accłpt it. We just
volunteer to do somthing or give an couldà’t get it across.
amount of money.Ł Can I put you down
for ten dollars? We’re having a picnic, putŁ someone ort something atŁ someone’ dØs-
and you’re invited. Evłryone is bringing posal to make someone orŁ something
somłthing. Can I put you down for potato available to sàmeone; to offerŁsàmeone or
salad? sàmethingŁto someone.Ł I’d be glad to
help you if you need me. I put myself at
putŁ someone in theŁpØcture to give someone
allŁthe necessaryŁfactsŁabout sàmething. your disposal. I put my car at my neigh-
(LiteralŁforŁaŁpainterŁorŁdigitalŁgraphics bor’s disposal.
artist.) They put the police in the pic- putŁ someone ortsomething dłwn 1. to belittl
ture about how the accidłnt happłned. or degrade someone or something.
Would someone put me in the picture (Slang.) It’s an old car, but that’s no rea-
about what włnt on in my absence? son to put it down. Please stop putting
putŁ someone off 1. to avoidŁrespàndingŁto me down all the time. It hurts my fłelngs.
sàmeone; to delayŁaŁrespànse to someone. T You put down łverything you don’t un-
I kłep asking her, but she just kłeps derstand! 2. [with something] to repress
putting me off. Don’t put me off again. or (figuratively)bcrush something. T The
Answer me now! 2. to repl someone; to army was called to put down the rebellion.
make someone feelŁuneasy.Ł Your bad The police used tear gas to put the riot
attitude puts people off. down. 3. [with somłthing ] to write some-
thingŁdàwn.Ł I’ll give you the address.
putŁ someone on to tease orŁdeceive sàmeone. Please put it down. T I’ll put down the ad-
(Slang.) Oh, you’re not serious. You’re dress in my address book. 4. [with some-
putting me on. Stop putting me on! thing] to landŁanŁaircraft.Ł The pilot put
putŁ someone on a pedeðtyl to respect, ad- the plane down exactly on time. T I can’t
mire, or worshipŁaŁprsàn.Ł He has put put down this plane in the rain. 5. [with
her on a pedestal and thinks she can do no something] to take the life of anŁanimal,
wrong. Don’t put me on a pedestal. I’m such asŁaŁpet that isŁsuffering. (ThisŁis
only human. usuallyŁdàne byŁaŁveterinarian.) We
had to put our dog down. She was suffer-
putŁ someone on theŁspłt to askŁsomeone ing so. It’s very dfficult to put down
embarrassingŁquesðions;Łto demandŁthat one’s pet.
sàmeone produce asŁexpected.Ł Don’t
put me on the spot. I can’t give you an an- putŁ someone ortsomething off 1. [with some-
swer. The boss put Bob on the spot and one] to divert or avoid someone. I don’t
dłmanded that he do everything he had wish to see Mr. Brown now. Please put him
promised. off. I won’t talk to reporters. Tell them
somłthing that will put them off. T PuŁ off
putŁ someone ort something across and get those annoying people. 2. [with someone]
someone ortsomething across 1. [with some- to upset orŁdisðressŁsomeone.Ł She al-
one] to presenð someone in a good way or ways puts me off. She’s so rude. T I try
aŁgoodŁlight.Ł I don’t want Tom to make not to put off people. 3. [with something]
the speech. He doesn’t put himoelf across to delayŁsomething;Łto posðpone some-
well. I get myself across in situØtions like thing.Ł T I had to put off my appointment
this. I’ll do it. 2. to make aŁclearŁexpla- with the doctor. It’s raining, so wł’ll
nation of sàmething;Łto explainŁoneself have to put the picnic off.
clearly.Ł The teacher got the idea across
with the help of pictures. I’m taking a putŁ someone ortsomething on hłld 1. [with
course in public speakng to help put my- someone] to sðopŁallŁactivity orŁcommu-

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