put to bed

put (someone or something) to bed

1. To help someone, typically a child, prepare for and get into bed at night. I'll give you a call after I put the kids to bed. Tom had a bit too much to drink, so I'm going to put him to bed.
2. To complete something or some initial preparatory phase. I thought you'd put the proofreading for that edition to bed weeks ago! We should be able to put this project to bed next week.
3. To stop discussing, thinking about, or focusing on something. OK, I think we have to agree to disagree. Let's just put the issue to bed and stop arguing. Why are you still being so jealous? I thought we'd put this all to bed ages ago.
See also: bed, put
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

put someone to bed

 and send someone to bed
to make someone go to bed. Mother put Jimmy to bed and kissed him. Sally was naughty and was sent to bed.
See also: bed, put

put something to bed

Fig. to complete work on something and send it on to the next step in production, especially in publishing. (From put someone to bed.) This week's edition is finished. Let's put it to bed. Finish the editing of this book and put it to bed.
See also: bed, put
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

put to bed

Complete something and either set it aside or send it on to the next step, as in We put the magazine to bed at ten, or They said they'd put the whole project to bed at least a month ago. This expression, transferring nighttime retirement to other kinds of completion, was first applied to a newspaper, where it meant "send to press," that is, start to print. [Mid-1900s]
See also: bed, put
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

put to bed

Informal
1. To make final preparations for the printing of (a newspaper, for example).
2. To make final preparations for completing (a project).
See also: bed, put
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See also:
  • put (someone or something) to bed
  • put something to bed
  • send (one) to bed
  • bed down
  • bed down (some place)
  • bedding
  • short-sheet
  • climb into (something)
  • in bed
  • make a bed
References in periodicals archive
She was put to bed at her home in Swain Court, Northallerton, on Sunday.
Willow Watkinson, 3, who 'disappeared' after being put to bed last night found; It's great news
They used to build great ships here, Now put to bed's the shipyard story.
POEM OF THE DAY
"The care workers tell me they are worried that the two visits will be bundled together with the result that the service users will face being put to bed at 6.30pm.
Spending cuts 'could hit elderly bed time' Care workers fear impact of changes
Summary: Speculation about Australian vice-captain Shane Watson's Test future was put to bed Monday with an ...
Watson to continue playing Tests
Her description of the birth should put to bed the rumours she had a Caesarean.
Beyonce envisioned baby 'pushing a very heavy door' while giving birth
But I'm glad it's now been put to bed as were all completely bored with the sorry saga.
TIME FOR FLETCH TO DELIVER
I did read some time ago that Redcar & Cleveland Council supplied an office to the local union rep, but I thought that union perk was put to bed.
Paying for union rep; Your say
OLYMPIC favourite Lizzie Armitstead insists her public spat with teammate Nicole Cooke has been put to bed and promised there will be no "grudge match" in the fight to lead Great Britain's road race team.
Lizzie insists: No grudge match; SPORT SHORTS CYCLING
The court heard the infant had been sniffling but had otherwise seemed in good health when she was put to bed the previous night.
Baby killed by lung infection
You might as well take me out the back and shoot me in the head before I'm going to be mellow" Hollywood hell-raiser Mickey Rourke "It will fuel suspicion I'm afraid amongst the public at large that, just as this matter was being put to bed, here is another behind-thescenes stitch-up" Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker on reports that key elements of Sir Christopher Kelly's proposals on MPs' expensess are to be scrapped.
QUOTES for the DAY
She had been drinking cider, whisky and wine at her home and had been put to bed by her partner, Shaun Jones, before rolling over and suffocating on her pillow.
Druken mum suffocated
The Long Gallery with its impressive fireplace; The National Trust house, pictured far left, is being put to bed on a special open day on November 10.
Packwood beds down for winter; POST PEOPLE
A The current recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics as well as every other reputable organization are to make certain that all babies be put to bed sleeping on their backs for at least the first six months of life.
Sleeping on back
"Jeff Wolfer was able to overcome any issues, and worked closely to get this deal put to bed. It was a pleasure doing business with him and we look forward to doing more business with Kennedy Funding in the future."
$40m helps developer make his mark in Fla
'Starving artist' is one label some business-minded and art-inspired individuals in North Bay hope to put to bed.
The art of doing business downtown: collective sets up business incubator/gallery for local artists and artisans