put out
put (oneself) out
To expend a great deal of effort; to inconvenience oneself or go through a lot of trouble. I don't know why I always put myself out to impress your parents—they never appreciate what I do anyway. Your brother and sister really put themselves out to make your party special, so it would be nice if you showed a little appreciation.
See also: out, put
put out
1. verb To upset, irritate, or inconvenience someone. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can used between "put" and "out." We don't want to put anybody out, but it's necessary for us to evolve our service as we go along. A: "Do you want to stay at our place while you're in town?" B: "That would be great! So long as it doesn't put you out."
2. verb To generate or create. This computer is powerful, but it puts out an absurd amount of heat.
3. verb, vulgar slang To be willing to have sex with someone else. (Typically said of a woman.) There are a lot of rumors going around that I put out, but they aren't true.
4. verb To take or release a pet out of one's house. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "put" and "out." Would you please put out the dog before he piddles on the carpet again? I think the cat wants you to put her out.
5. adjective Upset, irritated, or disgruntled. He was feeling pretty put out when he didn't get the promotion. I think my mother is a bit put out with you after the way you behaved at dinner last night.
See also: out, put
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
put an animal out
to send an animal, such as a pet, outdoors. Did you put the cat out? Yes, I put out the cat.
See also: animal, out, put
put someone out
to distress or inconvenience someone. I'd like to have a ride home, but not if it puts you out. Don't worry. It won't put out anybody.
See also: out, put
put something out
1. to emit something. The factory put a lot of fumes out. It put out nasty fumes.
2. to extinguish something on fire. He used flour to put the grease fire out. He put out the fire with flour.
3. to manufacture or produce something. That factory puts electrical supplies out. We put out some very fine products.
4. to publish something. When was this book put out? We put out both books last year.
See also: out, put
put out (about someone or something)
irritated; bothered. John behaved rudely at the party, and the hostess was quite put out. Liz was quite put out about the question.
See also: out, put
put out
to generate [lots of something]. What a great machine. It really puts out! The new laser printer really puts out!
See also: out, put
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
put one out
1. Inconvenience one, as in Will it put you out if we arrive early? Also see put oneself out. [Mid-1800s]
2. Offend or irritate one, as in His watching television while I visited put me out. [Early 1800s] Also see put out.
See also: one, out, put
put out
1. Extinguish, as in We put out the fire before we turned in. [Early 1500s]
2. Also, put to sea. Leave a port or harbor, as in They put out yesterday morning. [Late 1500s]
3. Publish, as in They put out a weekly newsletter. [Early 1500s]
4. Engage in sex. This usage is applied solely to women, as in She had a reputation for putting out. [ Vulgar slang; mid-1900s] Also see put one out.
See also: out, put
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
put out
v.
1. To remove something from within some space or region; place something outside: The dog likes to put its head out the window. I put the cat out before we left. Don't forget to put out the garbage.
2. To extend something: I put out my hand, but the man refused to shake it. The doctor asked me to put my tongue out.
3. To place something on display; make something accessible or visible: Put some cups and spoons out so people can serve themselves. We put out fliers on the table.
4. To extinguish something: Put out that fire now, before it goes out of control. The principal told them to put the cigarettes out.
5. To expel someone or something from a premises: They had to put out the drunk. The guard put out the rowdy students.
6. To publish something or make it publicly available: Our club puts out a weekly newsletter. The president put a statement out explaining the company's annual report.
7. To inconvenience someone: Did our early arrival put you out? I hope you didn't put yourself out to get us those tickets.
8. To make someone unhappy through inconsiderate behavior: That comment about my mother really put me out.
9. To make an effort: They really put out for their team.
10. Nautical To leave, as a port or harbor; depart: The ship put out to sea.
11. Baseball To retire some runner: The pitcher put the runner out with a hard throw to first base. The shortstop put out the runner at second base.
12. Vulgar Slang To provide sex.
13. put out of To remove someone or something from participation in or engagement with something: The mistake put the team out of medal contention. Large retailers have put all the independent shops out of business.
See also: out, put
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
put (oneself) out
To make a considerable effort; go to trouble or expense.
See also: out, put
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- put (oneself) out
- put oneself out
- fall over backward
- fall over backwards
- lean over backward
- lean over backwards
- bend/lean over backward, to
- sweat for
- sweat for (something)
- don't knock yourself out