put (something) down to (something else)
put (something) down to (something else)
1. To regard a situation, action, or outcome as being the result of some specific aspect, condition, or event. The runner put her leg pain down to simple muscle fatigue, but she was shocked to learn that it was due to deep vein thrombosis. I put most of my success down to the excellent education I received in college.
2. To regard a situation, action, or outcome, especially a negative one, as a means of gaining something positive. I know you're upset about failing your exam, but just put it down to experience and study harder next time. I doubt I'll get my money back for this broken computer. I guess I'll just put it down to learning the hard way to be more careful when I buy used products.
See also: down, put
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
put something down to something
and set something down to somethingto explain something as being caused by something else. I put his bad humor down to his illness. We set your failure down to your emotional upset.
See also: down, put
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- put down to
- down to (someone or something)
- down to somebody/something
- hand over the baton
- pass on the baton
- pass the baton
- baton
- hand on the baton
- front runner
- front-runner