put people or things together
put together
1. verb To build or assemble something; to create something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "put" and "together." I thought it would take me less than an hour, but I've been putting this table together all evening! I just need to put an outfit together for my interview tomorrow. Please put together an outline of your plan and have it on my desk by Friday.
2. verb To combine two or more people or things into a pair, group, mixture, etc. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "put" and "together." Just make sure you don't put those three together—they always cause trouble when they're in a group. When you put these two chemicals together, you get an explosive reaction.
3. verb To consider or contemplate multiple things in order to arrive at some conclusion or deduction. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "put" and "together." There were so many elements to the case that I just couldn't put them all together. When I put all the evidence together, it seemed pretty clear that the firm was lying to me.
4. verb To imagine that two people would make a suitable romantic couple. Usually used in negative, past-tense constructions. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "put" and "together." Dan and Billy are going out? Huh, I never would have put those two together.
5. adjective In a stable and successful condition. I can't believe she's had such a terrible addiction problem for so long—she always seemed so put together to me. I always felt inadequate next to my brother, who has always been exceptionally put together in his career and his home life.
6. adjective Very physically attractive, as in one's physique or one's fashion (or both). Wow, you look so well put together in that new suit! I've been really paying attention to my diet, as well as getting enough sleep and exercise, and I feel a lot more put together recently as a result.
See also: put, together
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
put people or things together
to join or combine people or things. We will put Sam and Trudy together at the dinner table. Let's put all the crystal goblets together.
See also: people, put, thing, together
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- add in
- all right
- add on
- a/the feel of (something)
- (I) wouldn't (do something) if I were you
- a straw will show which way the wind blows
- a crack at (someone or something)
- (you) wanna make something of it?
- all for the best
- a thing of the past