put to the test

Related to put to the test: run by, pertain to, fall out with, pick up on, turns out

put (someone or something) to the test

To test or evaluate the limits of what someone or something is capable of doing or achieving. Our new mobile game will put your reflexes to the test. I've had a pretty good tournament so far, but my next opponent should put me to the test.
See also: put, test
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

put someone or something to the test

Fig. to see what someone or something can achieve. I think I can jump that far, but no one has ever put me to the test. I'm going to put my car to the test right now, and see how fast it will go.
See also: put, test
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

put to the test

Try or check out something or someone, as in This tall grass will put our new lawnmower to the test, or Let's put Harry to the test and see if he knows the last 20 World Series winners. [Mid-1600s]
See also: put, test
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

put somebody/something to the ˈtest

test somebody/something; find out whether somebody/something is good, bad, true, real, etc: The second part of the contest will put your general knowledge to the test.
See also: put, somebody, something, test
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • put (someone or something) to the test
  • put somebody/something to the test
  • bring (one) to the test
  • the Bechdel test
  • test out
  • cram for a/the test
  • test for
  • test for (something)
  • piss test
  • urine test
References in periodicals archive
His belief that all human life is equally important is put to the test when he must choose between operating on an important politician, or a young boy who has been shot in the head.
Urasawa, Naoki. Monster, vol. 1
The Happy Elf follows the story of Eubie, a hard-working Santa's helper whose positive take on life is put to the test when he decides to bring Christmas cheer to the gloomy town of Bluesville.
The Happy Elf
Along their journey, feelings get hurt, family issues intervene and their solid-as-a-rock friendships are put to the test.
The Vow
This serenity was put to the test time and time again.
If I am killed, forgive: when Matthew Waletofea decided to work for peace in his country, he knew he was putting his life at risk. He talks to Caz Hore-Ruthven
A children's theater director and his actress wife are put to the test when they meet up with an old lady (played by Marian Seldes) who owns an abandoned historic theater they would dearly love to acquire.
Catch him if you can: Terrence McNally speeds into the fifth decade of his illustrious career with new works premiering in New York, San Diego, and San Francisco
Given the recent flood of congressional filibusters surrounding recent presidential nominations, Cox's intestinal fortitude may be put to the test before he even takes office.
Cox: can he take the heat? Chief executives crave some regulatory relief, but Cox has to thrive in a nasty political environment in order to deliver
Three prototypes of the HIMARS were "very successful" and "never missed a mission" when put to the test in Iraq with the 18th Airborne Corps' 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery, Colvin said.
American forces press service (Jan. 11, 2005): new weapons carrier to offer highly deployable firing platform
They will truly be put to the test when they are called on to vote on the request from the primates of the Anglican Communion that the Canadian church "voluntarily withdraw" its members from the Anglican Consultative Council.
Difficult decisions ahead for council members
Last winter, Colonna's goal was put to the test. A high school photography class created a display of various versions of "family"; one featured same-sex parents.
Moving on: out of personal tragedy, this education leader found a way to lift others up
HM-15's ability to rapidly deploy airborne mine countermeasures (AMCM) and a heavy-lift combat logistics capability anywhere in the world within 72 hours was put to the test twice during forward-deployed operations in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom (OIF).
HM-15 Blackhawks shine during Iraqi freedom
Right after he took command, he was put to the test."
Tugboat provides patriotic color at 597th Transportation Group ceremony
It has now been put to the test in 133 patients recruited in Switzerland and Spain.
Is autovaccination dead?
What would otherwise be the pleasure and excitement of reading a study on the topic of perpetual change is put to the test by a series of questionable conclusions that steadily chisel away the patience of the reader.
Michael Jeanneret. Perpetual Motion: Transforming Shapes in the Renaissance from da Vinci to Montaigne
Even the best planning and prevention can still result in an outage requiring your business continuity plan to be put to the test. In the insurance industry, many companies have reported that even when the systems portion of their disaster recovery plan worked as needed, the people aspect of the plan can cause unexpected difficulty.
The business continuity continuum: keeping insurance systems running. (Special Advertising Section)
Nowhere in the world is e-money being put to the test on this scale.
Smartcards to play new roles for JR East, ANA