put (something) up to (someone or something)
put (something) up to (someone or something)
1. To allow something to be decided by some process. Look, I think the easiest way to solve this is to just put the matter up to a vote.
2. To present something to someone or some group in order to be discussed, considered, decided, etc. The issue was put up to the committee, but they've yet to give us an answer. We'll need to put the proposal up to the board of directors for approval.
See also: put, up
put up
1. To mount, build, or erect something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "put" and "up." They're putting up high-rise apartments all over town. Would you mind putting this bookshelf up for me?
2. To preserve food for long-term storage, typically by canning. A noun or pronoun can be used between "put" and "up." We get so many peaches from our garden each season that I put most of them up to sell at the market.
3. To supply or provide some or all of the money necessary to fund something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "put" and "up." My work is putting up the cash for me to get my MBA. We'll agree to put up half of the down payment, but it's up to you to pay for the rest yourself.
4. To provide one with overnight accommodation, especially temporarily. A noun or pronoun can be used between "put" and "up." We're putting up Jen's brother for a couple of weeks while he looks for a new apartment. The airline offered to put me up at a hotel for the night.
5. To take action or steps to resolve something that one dislikes. Primarily used in the phrase "put up or shut up." You keep moaning that you don't have any meaningful friendships, but you don't do anything to try to form some. Either put up or shut up!
See also: put, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
put someone up (for something)
to nominate or offer someone for some office or task. I put Henry up for club president. We put up Shannon for treasurer.
See also: put, up
put someone up
to provide lodging for someone. I hope I can find someone to put me up. They were able to put up John for the night.
See also: put, up
put something up
1. to build a building, a sign, a fence, a wall, etc. We'll put a garage up next month. The city put up a fence next to our house.
2. to store and preserve food by canning or freezing. This year we'll put some strawberries up. We put up a lot of tomatoes every year.
See also: put, up
put someone up to something
to cause someone to do something; to give someone the idea of doing something. Who put you up to throwing the party? Nobody put me up to it. I thought it up myself.
See also: put, up
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
put up
1. Erect, build; also, lift to a higher position. For example, They put up three new houses on our street, or She looks more grownup when she puts up her hair in a bun. [c. 1600]
2. Preserve, can, as in She put up countless jars of jam. [Early 1800s]
3. Nominate, as in Tom put up Peter for president. [Late 1500s]
4. Provide funds, especially in advance, as in They put up nearly a million for the new museum.
5. put someone up. Provide lodgings for, as in We can put you up for the night. [Mid-1700s]
6. Startle game from cover, as in The hunter put up three grouse. [Late 1400s]
7. Offer for sale, as in They had to put up their last antiques. [Early 1700s]
8. Make a display or appearance of, as in They were actually broke but put up a good front. [First half of 1800s]
9. Do well in a contest, as in They put up a good fight. [Late 1800s]
10. Stake money for a bet, as in Each player put up ten dollars. [Mid-1800s]
See also: put, up
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
put up
v.
1. To place something in a high or upright position: I put the books up on the shelf. I put up the hood on my rain jacket. I put my hair up in a bun.
2. To place something in a prominent position: They put signs up all over town, hoping someone would recognize their lost cat. The superintendent put up a notice on the door advising residents to conserve water.
3. To erect some structure: They're going to put up three new apartment buildings on this street. The children put a tent up in the backyard and slept outside.
4. To nominate someone: The committee put up three new candidates for mayor. The Green Party put candidates up in many races.
5. To preserve some food by jarring, canning, or salting: He put up six jars of jam. She put half the cucumbers up for pickles.
6. To provide some amount of money for some purpose: The company put up half of the money for the new park. The agency put $1,000 up toward the scholarship fund.
7. To provide lodgings for someone: Could you put me up for the night? I put up my guests in the spare bedroom.
8. To startle deliberately some animal that one is hunting: We put up the pheasants but didn't manage to shoot any.
9. To offer something, especially for sale: I put up some of my antique furniture to raise money for my trip. They put their house up for sale and moved to Houston.
10. To make a display or appearance of something: They put up a good bluff, but I knew they were lying.
11. To engage in something; carry on something: The boxer certainly put up a good fight.
12. put up to To persuade someone to commit some funny, mischievous, or malicious act: My older brother put me up to making a prank telephone call.
13. put up with To tolerate someone or something: I can't put up with that awful noise from next door.
See also: put, up
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
put (someone) up to
To cause to commit a funny, mischievous, or malicious act: My older brother put me up to making a prank telephone call.
See also: put, up
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- get to the bottom of
- get to the bottom of (something)
- get to the bottom of something
- square the circle
- gray matter
- grey matter
- royal road to
- royal road to (something)
- cudgel (one's) brains
- cudgel your brain