plant

Related to plant: plant kingdom, baby

plant (something) in (something else)

1. Literally, to place or set a plant or the seed of a plant in something or some area in which to grow. We're planting herbs in little pots on the windowsill so we can watch them grow. They planted palm trees in their back yard, and it looks absolutely ridiculous. Make sure you plant the saplings in enough soil for the roots to spread out properly.
2. To fix something firmly or securely in something. We planted our feet in the dirt and began to push with all our might. I planted the hydraulic legs of the aerial lift in the ground so that the whole thing wouldn't topple over.
3. To introduce, establish, or implant something in someone's mind, emotions, subconscious, etc. My brother planted the idea of moving to New York City in my mind, and now I can't think of anything else to do! They aim to plant revolutionary intentions in the hearts of young men and women across the country.
4. To conceal or hide something in something or some place. The criminal gang planted the stolen goods in fast-food warehouses across the North East. We planted microphones in the lining of their luggage so we could hear their conversations during the entire trip.
5. To place something secretly in something or some place with the intention of causing a false understanding or interpretation upon discovery. We planted a bloody knife in his desk drawer so it would look like he was the one who killed his wife. The police officer was convicted of planting drugs in the clothing of pedestrians on the street in order to justify his many arrests.
See also: plant

plant (something) on

1. Literally, to grow a plant on top of something. Many people in the city have begun planting vegetables on their rooftops to help curb the cost of buying fresh produce.
2. To place and conceal something in or among someone's possessions or clothing without their knowledge or permission. The police officer was convicted of assaulting pedestrians and then planting knifes or drugs on them in order to justify the beatings. Be sure to mind your bags for the duration of your trip, as it is not unheard of for criminals to plant drugs and other contraband on innocent passengers in the hopes of smuggling it to their destinations without their knowledge.
See also: on, plant

plant a seed

1. To lay the groundwork for something that can develop or expand in the future. By involving the community in our plans, we hope to plant a seed for an event that will grow into a neighborhood tradition for years to come.
2. To introduce an idea to someone with the intention of making them more likely to eventually support or agree with it. I casually mentioned the idea of my mom watching Noah some weekends. Just planting a seed so she might be open to it down the line.
See also: plant, seed

plant a/the seed of doubt (in someone's mind)

To cause someone to have doubts, worries, or concerns (about something); to introduce someone to a doubtful or worrisome idea. The candidate was doing very well in the polls six months ago, but it seems that this smear campaign has been effective in planting a seed of doubt in the minds of voters. Recent economic turbulence in the Eurozone has planted the seed of doubt about the strength of the economy's recovery. Every time you act suspiciously like that, it plants a seed of doubt in my mind about your fidelity.
See also: doubt, of, plant, seed

plant one on (one)

1. To strike one. If that bully keeps taking my lunch money every day, I'm gonna plant one on him! I have a black eye because this jerk at school planted one on me in the recess yard.
2. To kiss one. He's so cute, I just want to go over and plant one on him! Well? Did he plant one on you at the end of the date?
See also: on, one, plant

plant out

To transplant a seedling or plant from a sheltered location, such as indoors or within a greenhouse, to the ground outside. You'll want to wait until it is warmer outside before you plant out your tomatoes. You can plant these out as soon as there are several strong leaves on the stem.
See also: out, plant

plant pears for your heirs

proverb Take action that will benefit your heirs. Pear trees traditionally took such a long time to yield fruit that one would plant them for the benefit of the next generation. You should look into setting up some sort of trust fund that will grow over time and help your children when you're no longer here. Plant pears for your heirs, as they say.
See also: heir, pear, plant

plant the seeds

1. To do something that ensures a certain outcome in the future, especially an unfortunate or tragic one. They've been planting the seeds of their own downfall with their anti-consumer practices over the last few years.
2. To cause someone to have certain thoughts or feelings, usually negative ones. The over-zealous policing of opposing opinions has planted the seeds of discontent among the population.
See also: plant, seed

plant the seeds of (something)

1. To do something that ensures a certain outcome in the future, especially an unfortunate or tragic one. They've been planting the seeds of their own downfall with their anti-consumer practices over the last few years.
2. To cause someone to have certain thoughts or feelings, usually negative ones. The over-zealous policing of opposing opinions has planted the seeds of discontent among the population.
See also: of, plant, seed

soap plant

Any plant that produces a lather that can be used for cleansing. Examples include the California soap plant, the soapberry, and the soapwort. My mom makes all-natural soap out of soap plants.
See also: plant, soap
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

plant something in something

 
1. Lit. to set out a plant in something; to sow seeds in something. Are you going to plant tomatoes in these pots? What have you planted in the garden?
2. Fig. to put an idea in someone's brain, head, or thinking. Who planted that silly idea in your head? I want to plant this concept in her thinking.
3. Fig. Inf. to conceal something in something. The crook planted the money in the back of the refrigerator. What did the cops plant in your pockets?
See also: plant

plant something on someone

 
1. to hide incriminating evidence on a person for later discovery and use in prosecution. (Drugs. Allegedly a police practice used to entrap drug offenders.) The cops planted crack on Richard and then arrested him for carrying it. Don't touch me! You'll plant something on me!
2. to conceal narcotics or other contraband on an unsuspecting person for the purpose of smuggling. (This person will bear the risk of discovery and arrest.) The crooks planted the stuff on a passenger, but couldn't find him when the plane landed. Someone had planted coke on me, and the airport security officer found it.
See also: on, plant
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

sow the seeds of something

or

plant the seeds of something

COMMON
1. If something or someone sows or plants the seeds of a future problem, they start the process which causes that problem to develop. An incident then occurred that was to sow the seeds of the invasion's eventual failure. It was this racist policy that planted the seeds of today's crisis in Africa.
2. You can also sow or plant the seeds of something good or something that you want to happen. With this overall strategy, they hope to sow the seeds of economic recovery. Ministers had spent five years planting the seeds of reform. I had planted the seeds of doubt in their minds.
See also: of, seed, something, sow
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

plant/sow the ˈseeds of something

start a process which will develop into something large, important, etc: What first planted the seeds of doubt in your mind? The seeds of conflict were sown when oil was discovered on the border between the two countries.
See also: of, plant, seed, something, sow
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

plant

1. tv. to strike a blow (to a particular place on someone). The boxer planted a good blow on his opponent’s shoulder.
2. n. a spy who secretly participates in criminal activities in order to inform on the criminals. Don’t tell everything you know. You don’t know who’s a plant and who isn’t.

plant something on someone

1. tv. to hide incriminating evidence on a person for later discovery and use in prosecution. (see also flake.) The cops planted snow on Bart and then arrested him for carrying it.
2. tv. to conceal narcotics or other contraband on an unsuspecting person for the purpose of smuggling. (This person will bear the risk of discovery and arrest.) The crooks planted the stuff on a passenger but couldn’t find him when the plane landed.
See also: on, plant, someone, something
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • plant (something) in (something else)
  • plant in
  • dead wood
  • deadwood
  • cut the deadwood out
  • uproot
  • uproot (someone or something) from (something or some place)
  • uproot from
  • plant on
  • plant something on someone
References in periodicals archive
"At the time when we started our business in the late 1970's, putting plants in buildings was a fad and most building owners didn't believe we would be around long enough," said Howard Keith Freilich, owner of Blondie's Treehouse Inc, a landscape design firm that caters to businesses across the tri state area, including Fortune 500 companies.
Firms branch out to bring petal power to corporate America
In the 1960s, researchers discovered mutant cotton plants that didn't produce gossypol.
Toxin buster: new technique makes cottonseeds edible
In Albuquerque, two sorting lines help that plant ship about 4,000 tons of OCC per month to the nearby Prewitt mill, part of a total of 4,500 tons per month of secondary fiber and other recyclables handled at the plant, Plant Manager Martha Reyes says.
Supplying a demand: the recyclers of Durango McKinley Paper Co. help furnish their corporate mills in the United States and Mexico
When chlorophyll breaks down, a plant's leaves become vulnerable to the sun's harsh rays.
A change in leaf color
The ancillary equipment sizes and capacities are matched to the production capacity of the recycling plant. A wheel loader or hydraulic excavator is used for feeding the plant and wheel loaders load out the delivery trucks with the processed materials.
Big decisions: a crushing equipment industry veteran offers advice on setting up the ideal crushing plant for a recycling operation
In fact, we were granted patents both for the development of Bt's in plants and for glyphosate-tolerant technologies in cotton by the U.S.
Dow AgroSciences to expand its traits business
Despite the large number of materials to handle and the high throughput, the Vienna plant shipped more than 700,000 containers last year and attained better than 99.9% on-time delivery of parts to more than 100 customers.
All-electric plant gets world-class results
Plant Locations: Perth, ON (Forming Fabrics); Cowansville, PQ (Press Fabrics & Dryer Fabrics)
Albany International Corp
The program was unveiled in 2002 as a government-industry cost-sharing plan to identify three sites for new nuclear power plants, develop Generation III reactors, and develop a single-license process with the NRC for approval of both plant construction and operation, thereby removing much of the delay and uncertainty for investors.
Power surge: renewed interest in nuclear energy
"I pay for that tool when it comes out to my line." Minority-supplier TDS/US manages all material handling and logistics within and outside the plant. The supplier will provide the completed engines to Chrysler's Belvidere, IL, assembly plant, where the World Engine will find its way into the Dodge Caliber and other Chrysler vehicles.
GEMA takes off: although some people think that the only place to build new manufacturing plants in the U.S. is in the southern states, a team of global companies has constructed one of the most flexible powertrain plants in the world in Michigan. Why? One answer is talent
In January, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division came to Cartersville to hold a meeting on Georgia Power's reapplication for operating permits for Plant Bowen and to answer questions from the community about the plant.
Burning Atlanta: all the old regulatory weapons couldn't reform the Georgia power plant that is America's single biggest polluter. But a new law is working
Plant A uses these furnaces to save energy and provide a large capacity for the melts.
2 means to melt aluminum
Repeated attempts by environmental groups, private botanical gardens, and governmental agencies to propagate this plant failed.
Hawaii's rare breeds: after decades of solitary effort to save Hawaii's rarest plants, one man halts his efforts in response to government-environmentalist attacks private property rights
Shearon Harris nuclear power plant sits about twenty-two miles south of Raleigh, North Carolina, in one of the fastest growing population centers in the United States.
Fire hazard: Bush leaves nuclear plants at risk
Why was the Lake Michigan coastal city of Manistee, population 6,600, targeted for a $700 million, 425 megawatt coal-powered electric power plant, the largest proposed in Michigan in two decades?
Blackening the skies: the Bush administration pushes dirty coal plants