Page 347 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

put the bite on someone

putting the arm on Mary to get her to go putŁtheŁscrews on ( someone) Go to put the
out with him. John has błen putting the heat on (someone).
arm on Bill to get him to cooperate.
putŁtheŁskids on ( something) to cause some-
putŁ theŁ biteŁ on someone and putŁ the thingŁto fail.Ł(Slang.) They put the skido
touchŁ on someone to try to get money on the project when they refused to givł
fromŁsomeone.Ł(Slang.) Tom put the us any more money. That’s the end of
bite on me for ten dollars. Bill put the our great idea! Somebody put the skids on.
touch on me, but I told him to drop dead. putŁtheŁsqueezeŁon ( someone) Go to put
the heat on (someone).
putŁtheŁblameŁon someone ortsomething and
layŁ theŁ blameŁ on someone ortsomething; putŁtheŁtouchŁon someone Go to put the
placeŁtheŁblameŁon someone ortsomething bite on someone.
to blame sàmeone or something. Don’t putŁto it inŁtrouble orŁdifficulty; hardŁup
put the blame on me. I didà’t do it. We’ll (forŁsomethingŁsuch asŁmoney).Ł(Slang.)
have to place the blame for the damage on I’m in big trouble. I’m really put to it.
the storm.
John was put to it to get there on time.
putŁ theŁ cart beforeŁ theŁ hłrse to have putŁ two andŁ two together to figur
thingsŁinŁthe wrongŁorder; to have things sàmethingŁ out from the infàrmation
confusedŁ andŁ mixedŁ up.Ł (Also with available.Ł(Also literal.) Well, I put two
have.) You’re eating your dessert! You’vł and two togłther and came up with an
put the cart błfore the horse. Slow down idea of who did it. Don’t worry. John
and get organized. Doà’t put the cart be- won’t figure it out. He can’t put two and
fore the horse! John has the cart błfore two together.
the horse in most of his projects.
putŁ up a (brave)Ł front and putŁ on a
putŁtheŁclamps on ( someone) to resðrainŁor (brave)Łfront to appearŁto be brave (even
resðrict someone.Ł(Slang.) Tom’s par- if one isŁnot).Ł Mary is frightened, but
ents put the clamps on him. They decided she’s putting up a brave front. If she
he was głtting out of hand. T They goŁ weren’t putting on a front, I’d be more
mad and put on the clamps. frightened than I am.
putŁtheŁfingerŁon someone and layŁtheŁfin- putŁupon byŁ someone to be made use of to
gerŁ on someone to accuse someone; to an unreasànable degree.Ł(Typically pas-
identifyŁ someone asŁ the one who did sive.) My mother was alwØys put upon
something.Ł(Slang. Se also poànt the fin- by her neighbors. She was too nice to refuse
ger at someone.) Tom put the finger on their requests for help. Jane fłels put
John, and John is really mad. He’d bet- upon by her ðusband’s parents. They’re
ter not lØy the finger on me. I didà’t do it. always comng to stay with her.
putŁ theŁ heatŁ on ( someone) and putŁ the PutŁ upŁ orŁ shutŁ up! 1. <aŁ commandŁ to
screws on (someone);ŁputŁtheŁsqueezX prove sàmethingŁorŁstopŁtalkingŁabout it;
on (someone) to put pressure on someone to dà somthing or stop promising to dà
(to do something);bto coerce someone. it.>b(Slang.) I’m tired of your tellng
(Slang.) John wouldà’t talk, so the po- everyone how fast you can run. Now, do it!
lice were putting the heat on him to con- PuŁ up or shuŁ up! Now’s your chancł
fess. When they put the screws on, they to show us that you can run as fast as you
can be very unpleasant. The police know can talk. Put up or shut up! 2. <aŁcom-
how to put the squłeze on. mandŁto bt moneyŁinŁsupport of what
one advocates.>b(See also Put your money
putŁtheŁkiboshŁon something to put an end where your mouth is!) If you think that
to something;Łto veto something.Ł(Slang.) your horse is faster than mne, then make
The mØyor put the kibosh on the pro- a błt. Put up or shut up! You think you
ject. It’s a great idea, and I’m sorry that can beat me at cards? Twłnty bucks says
I had to put the kibosh on it. you’rł wrong. Put up or shuŁ up!

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