place (someone or something) before (someone or something)

place (someone or something) before (someone or something)

1. To set someone or something at a position directly in front of someone or something else. Place the prisoner before me so that I may render my judgment. We placed the holy items before the altar.
2. By extension, to put greater value on someone or something, or to regard someone or something more highly or favorably, than someone or something else. You really shouldn't place the needs of your company before the needs of your family. I always felt like Mom placed our baby brother before Tommy and I when we were growing up.
See also: before, place
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

place someone or something before someone or something

 and put someone or something before someone or something 
1. to put someone or something in front of someone or something, especially in a line. The teacher placed George before Bob, because Bob was a little taller. Tom placed himself before the group and began to speak.
2. to consider someone or something more important than someone or something. I am sorry, but I place my wife and her welfare before yours! He places his job before his family!
See also: before, place
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • be/have done with somebody/something
  • be in line with (someone or something)
  • better of
  • (someone or something) promises well
  • begin with
  • begin with (someone or something)
  • bird has flown, the
  • beware of
  • beware of (someone or something)
  • be rough on (someone or something)