put something away

put away

1. Literally, to put something into a designated place. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "put" and "away." Kids, please put your toys away before dinner. I decided to put away all the decorations right after the party so I didn't have to do it the next day.
2. To stop focusing on or paying attention to something. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "put" and "away." Put your worries away for the moment and just enjoy your time at the beach. You have to put away your stage fright and focus on playing the music.
3. To eat or drink the entirety of something, especially quickly or easily. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "put" and "away." Wow, that kid sure can put away his food! I can usually put away a bottle of wine by myself. I expect them to put that pizza away in five minutes.
4. slang To kill someone. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "put" and "away." The man said he'd put me away if I told anyone that I'd seen him burying the money in the field. The prosecutor is worried that they'll put away the witnesses before they can testify.
5. To bury someone. Because the ground is completely frozen, they won't be able to put my father away for at least another month.
6. To send someone to a prison or mental institution. They put the notorious gangster away for 40 years, with no chance of parole. Because they didn't understand the nature of schizophrenia at the time, my great-grandparents put my granny away when she was a little girl.
See also: away, put
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

put something away

tv. to eat something. Did you put away that whole pizza?
See also: away, put, something
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • put away
  • put back
  • put in
  • put in at (some place)
  • put an animal out
  • put aside
  • put (someone or something) on ice
  • put (someone) on ice
  • put on ice
  • put dibs on (something)
References in periodicals archive
Start a holiday savings account and set up a standing order to put something away regularly - get into the savings habit by putting away a small amount that you won't miss too much each week/month, then increase it gradually to the maximum you can afford.
SHOULD YOU PAY FOR YOUR SUMMER TRIP WITH CREDIT? 7 WAYS TO TAKE CONTROL OF HOLIDAY COSTS TRICIA PHILLIPS warns against building up a debt that lasts longer than the happy memories
Three years ago, I was bending down to put something away when I felt an excruciating pain in the lumbar region of my back.
How I coped with.. osteoporosis; Your health mirror.co.uk
It is always prudent to put something away for a rainy day but people have every right to be suspicious about the Government's motives.
Not just a rainy day... it's pouring; COMMENT 2nd floor, 9A Beckett Way, Park West Industrial Park, Clondalkin, Dublin 12 Tel: 01 868 8600, Fax 01 868 8626, irishmirror.ie
The operator is free to put something away where he pleases, but that location will be logged in the system.
Putaway 101: Everything in its place: after receiving determines what and how much, it's time to figure out where and how it should go into storage
While it could be the product that helps more self-employed workers put something away for their old age, it will only be useful to a minority as two-thirds of workers are over 40.
Cash point; CITYDESK
The idea is to put something away each month throughout your working life and build up a financial cushion to see you through old age and enable you to afford to continue your lifestyle.
PENSION SQUARE[...]; Special feature Pension questions
'It would be common sense and good discipline, but it's difficult for young people to find the cash to put something away for their retirement.
Family FINANCES
Such figures underscore the need to live within our means in retirement and even put something away.
Saving strategy should not end when retirement starts
One said: "You will be asking those who have been prudent all their lives, and managed to put something away for their old age, to put their hands in their pockets yet again to pay for your budget cuts...and subsidise people who get it free, regardless of whether the reason they get it free is deserved or not."
Plans to axe cap on care; Anger as claims made elderly are an 'easy target' for cost savings
Many people, start too late because they think they don't make enough, but April says, "You can still put something away. Do the best you can.
Too young to think about retirement? Think again! Time is the most vital element in building your nest egg. start now or pay later
If everybody decides that it is a good time to put something away for a rainy day then all they are doing is whistling up a storm.
Whistling up another storm?
Are you sure you don't want to put something away for a rainy day?
Acronyms bleed you dry -so be an ostrich
These are appealing because they help young workers put something away for the future with little or no sacrifice on their part - an important plus for those at the beginning of their careers.
Hanging On To Young Professionals
Almost two-fifths of savers only put something away if they have anything left at the end of the month, rather than putting a sum aside as a priority.
Cash in every time you get paid; Make saving your first priority every month