put back

Related to put back: in favor of, bring up, come across, allow for, fill up, Consist Of, set out

put back

1. To return something to its previous location or position. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "put" and "back." No, put the chocolate back! You can't have any until dinner. I told you not to touch my phone—put it back, now!
2. To stall, delay, or postpone something until a later time or date. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "put" and "back." They decided to put back the release date of their war film as a sign of respect to the victims of the attack. We've put this product back too much already—I want it out and in people's hands by the first of May, come hell or high water!
3. To cause someone or something to become stalled, delayed, or postponed until a later time or date. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "put" and "back." I thought I'd get home in time for dinner, but traffic on the interstate put me back by about an hour. They were supposed to replace our fence back in October, but the terrible weather we've had this winter put them back until February. The labor strike has put the product's release back by three months and counting.
4. To eat or drink something, especially very quickly or with great enthusiasm. She put back three shots of whiskey in less than an hour and isn't even phased. I was so hungry, I put back two hamburgers and a full steak dinner.
5. To cause someone to feel astonished, shocked, disconcerted, or offended. Usually used in passive constructions. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "put" and "back." Her behavior put me back at first, but as the date went on we actually got along very well. I was rather put back by his comments, and I left the party as soon as I had a chance.
6. To cost one an amount of money. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "put" and "back." Getting the car fixed is going to put me back nearly a grand. It's estimated the failed product put the company back roughly $2 million. Any idea how much this repair is going to put me back?
See also: back, put
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

put something back

 
1. to return something to where it was before. Please put the book back when you finish it. Put back the book when you finish.
2. Go to set something back.
See also: back, put
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

put back

v.
1. To return something to the position from which it was taken: No, you may not eat another cookie, so put it back! I put back the books I'd taken from the shelf.
2. To drink completely: I put back four bottles of beer with dinner.
3. To reschedule something to an earlier time: They put the meeting back from 3:00 to noon. Let's put back the date a few weeks.
4. To cause someone or something to be delayed: We hoped to start painting the house this week, but the bad weather put us back several days. The lack of funds put back the project a few months.
5. To cause someone or something to be offended. Used chiefly in the passive: I was put back by their uncaring remarks.
See also: back, put
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • put away
  • put an animal out
  • put in
  • put in at (some place)
  • put aside
  • put (something) by
  • put by
  • put (one's) back into (something)
  • put dibs on
  • put dibs on (something)
References in periodicals archive
The tender the project put back work with companies to costly diversions.
Plans to ease congestion at Coton Arches delayed again
Everton have also confirmed that their trip to Southampton in November has been put back 24 hours to Sunday, November 27, due to the Saints' involvement in the Europa League that week.
TV bosses pick Blues' live dates
S T Vaughan, Yardley Wood | FOR goodness sake let's have the cameras put back ASAP to help to keep us all safe.
No-one spoke before; views
Spurs' Europa League schedule means that Sunderland's trip to White Hart Lane has been put back 24 hours to Sunday, December 18 (3pm).
Fixtures shuffled
Critics argue that the poor provision of IVF on the NHS - despite guidance saying women should get three free cycles - means some couples feel desperate to have two embryos put back.
One IVF embryo more likely to survive than two
THE Bears' Premier League clash at Edinburgh has been put back to Friday, June 18 from April 30.
Bears seek business supporters
Summary: The north African branch of al-Qaeda, which was threatening to kill a French hostage, has put back an ultimatum that was due to expire at midnight, a Malian negotiator said on Saturday.
Qaeda puts back Mali hostage ultimatum
They are very difficult to keep alive and should be put back where they were found.
It's raining baby sparrows in Dubai
The Competition Commission yesterday put back the timetable for its inquiry into the UK's pounds 95 billion grocery sector after "a huge response" from witnesses.
Big chains inquiry put back until January
The city has only two elevator inspectors, one of whom told a reporter that elevators with "life and limb hazards" are put back in service when owners sign a letter of intent to repair the problem.
When elevators attack I
Upgraded to current configurations and put back into active service, these aircraft will augment the H-53 fleet, the numbers of which have dwindled due to the difficult environmental conditions in which many of them operate in the global war on terrorism.
Airscoop
Originally due for September 13/14, it has been put back to October 4/5.
EP COMMITTEE VOTE ON SERVICES DIRECTIVE POSTPONED
For instance, applicants must indicate what native Canadian tree species will be put back on the site, the equipment to be used and describe how they are preparing the site for planting including regrowth expectations.
Fighting forest fires with foresight: foresters say a solid forest plan should mitigate losses from fire, but they aren't in a rush to change the channel when the Weather Network is on
The Church That Forgot Christ is a shocking read in many ways: shocking to hear the sordid details of behind-the-scenes abuse, scandal, and cover-up; shocking to read of such a devout man's heart torn asunder; shocking to read the outrage and damning language of a true believer; shocking to read of the official wall of silence and denial; and of course, as always, it is shocking to hear the very simple, yet so strongly condemned (by some) and ignored (by most) message, "Could we simply have some Christianity put back in Christianity?" But I think that endless battle for common human decency, honesty, and humility is what Christ's message and death was all about.
The Church that Forgot Christ