• PUT
n. 1688 rare, orig. cant – a stupid or foolish person; a blockhead
vb. 1. a1000 rare – to push, to poke, to knock, or to strike; to deliver a thrust or blow
vb. 2. a1000 obs. – to urge, to incite, to instigate
vb. 3. a1382 obs. – to proceed, to pass, to make one’s way
vb. 4. c1450 Sc. & Eng. dial. – to butt with the head or horns
vb. 5. 1596 obs. – to exert oneself; to make an effort
vb. 6. 1834 colloq., orig. & chiefly US – to leave hastily, to make off, to scram
vb. 7. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to vomit
• PUTA
n. 1948 sl. – in Spanish-speaking countries or parts of America: a prostitute; a promiscuous woman; a slut
• PUT A BEATING ON
vb. to cause deliberate harm to someone …1970s sl., orig. African-American
• PUT ABOUT
vb. to upset, to distress …Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• PUT A BUG IN ONE’S EAR
vb. to tell one a secret or put one on to a secret; to give somebody a hint for his own good …1909 Amer. dial.
• PUT A CORK IN IT!
int. shut up! …1982 US sl.
• PUT ACROSS
vb. to perpetrate a deception …1913-15 Amer. sl.
• PUT A DAFF ON A PERSON
vb. to make anyone afraid …Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• PUT A DAMPER ON
vb. to discourage; to dampen the enthusiasm of; to spoil another person’s pleasure; to have a depressing effect on …1748
• PUT A DOUBLE ON
vb. 1923 sl. – to double-cross
• PUT A DOWN UPON A MAN
vb. to inform against him …Bk1892 Aust. convicts’ sl.
• PUT A FACE ON
vb. in boxing: to batter and injure the face of …1971 US sl.
• PUT A FINGER ON
vb. 1. to betray, esp. to the police …1930s US sl.
vb. 2. to identify someone, esp. as someone about to die …1930s sl.
vb. 3. to work out, to identify …1930s sl.
• PUT A FOOT IN SOMEONE’S ASS
vb. to attack someone physically; to treat someone unkindly …1940s African-American sl.
• PUT A GAG ON
vb. to put a stop to someone’s activities …1891 UK sl.
• PUTAGE
n. 1480 obs. – prostitution, harlotry
• PUT A GUT ON
vb. to put on weight …c1920 Aust. sl.
• PUT A HAT ON SOMEONE
vb. 1. to beat someone, to put them in their place …M19 UK criminals’ sl.
vb. 2. to dislike someone intensely …1970s African-American sl.
vb. 3. to single someone out for revenge …1970s African-American sl.
• PUT A HOLE IN
vb. to kill someone …1910s sl.
• PUT A HURTING ON
vb. to cause deliberate harm to someone …1970s sl., orig. African-American
• PUT A HURT ON
vb. to cause deliberate harm to someone …1970s sl., orig. African-American
• PUTAIN
n. a woman of ill fame; a whore, a prostitute, a strumpet …a1300 obs.
• PUT A JERK IN IT
vb. to act vigorously, smartly, or quickly …1910s sl.
• PUT ALL OARS IN THE WATER
vb. to make every effort, to do one’s utmost …1925 Sc.
• PUT A MUSTARD-PLASTER ON HIS CHEST
phr. applied to a doleful and dismal pallid young man …c1880 Brit. sl.
• PUT A NAIL IN ONE’S COFFIN
vb. to do anything that shortens life; spec., to drink …1836 sl.
• PUTANIE
n. 1566 obs. rare – a prostitute, a whore; a strumpet, a slut
• PUTANISM
n. 1672 rare – prostitution, harlotry
• PUT ANOTHER NAIL IN ONE’S COFFIN
vb. to get drunk …E19 sl.
• PUT A PASS
vb. to ignore, to have no interest …L19 sl.
• PUT A PERSON’S BACK UP
vb. to make a person angry or stubborn …19C colloq.
• PUT A PERSON’S QUICK OUT
vb. to put an end to his life …Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• PUT A ROPE TO THE EYE OF A NEEDLE
vb. to attempt the impossible or absurd; to act foolishly and to no purpose …B1900
• PUT A SCOTCH ON ANYTHING
vb. to put difficulties in its way …1868 Eng. dial.
• PUT A SCOTCH ON A PERSON’S WHEEL
vb. to check or hinder him …Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• PUT-ASIDE
adj. 1884 rare – that has been put aside; dismissed, rejected
• THE PUT-ASIDE
n. 1868 rare – rejected people as a class
• PUT A SOCK IN IT!
int. be quiet …1919 Brit. sl.
• PUT A THRAW IN A NECK
vb. to wring it …1892 Eng. dial.
• PUTATION
n. 1. 1440 obs. – the pruning or trimming of trees
n. 2. 1649 obs. – a considering or reckoning; supposition, estimation
• PUTATIONARY
adj. 1669 obs. – based on supposition or theory
• PUTATIONER
n. 1658 obs., derogatory – a theorizer
• PUTATITIOUS
adj. 1654 obs. – supposed; reputed; imaginary
• PUTATITIOUSLY
adv. 1660 obs. – supposedly; by repute only
• PUTATORY
adj. belonging to cutting, dressing, or pruning of trees …1656 obs. rare
• PUT A TUCK IN ONE’S TAIL
vb. to humiliate …Bk1892 Amer. sl.
• PUT AWAY
vb. 1. a1500 colloq. – to kill a person; to put an animal down; also, to bury; to dispose of the remains of a dead person
vb. 2. 1858 sl., rare – to inform against, to betray; to give a person up to the police
vb. 3. 1859 sl. – to send to prison
vb. 4. 1839 colloq. – to eat in large quantities
vb. 5. 1887 sl., obs. – to put in pawn, to pawn
vb. 6. 1960s Amer. sl. – to please
• PUTAYLE
n. a1425 obs. – foot soldiers; followers, rabble
• PUT-BACK
n. a1697 rare – something that puts back the advancement or performance of a plan or activity; a setback
vb. 1. a1500 obs. – (as ‘put back’) to force back, to repulse; to refuse, to reject
vb. 2. 1974 Amer. sl. – (as ‘put back’) to consume food or drink heartily
• PUT BEANS IN ONE’S EAR
vb. to do something stupid after being warned not to …1936 Amer. dial.
• PUT BEANS UP ONE’S NOSE
vb. to do something stupid after being warned not to …1979 Amer. dial.
• PUT BESIDE THE SADDLE
vb. to defeat the plans or ruin the career of …1579-80 obs.
• PUT BEYOND ONESELF
vb. to render conceited …1848 Ireland
• PUT BIRDIE
vb. to vomit …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PUT-BY
n. 1. 1548 obs. – a putting something by or setting something aside; a delay, a distraction
n. 2. 1880 Sc. rare – something that has been put aside; a standby
vb. 1618 obs. – (as ‘put by’) to evade a question, etc.; to avoid or deflect the questioning, demands, etc. of a person
• PUT-CASE
n. 1. 1565 obs. – a supposition, a hypothesis
n. 2. 1590 obs. – a person skilled in putting or arguing hypothetical cases
• PUT DAYLIGHT THROUGH
vb. to shoot; to stab …L18 sl.
• PUT DOTS ON
vb. 1919 military sl., obs. rare – to bore, to weary
• PUTDOWN
n. a snub or humiliation; criticism …1932
(verbs usually as ‘put down’)
vb. 1. to snub, humiliate or belittle; to disparage …1944 US colloq.
vb. 2. to perform, to do, to say …1943 US colloq., chiefly African-American
• PUT DOWN SOME HAIR
vb. of a man: to have sexual intercourse …M19 sl.
• PUTE
n. c1384 rare – a prostitute
• PUTEAL
adj. 1656 rare – relating to a well or pit
• PUTERY
n. c1390 obs. – adultery; promiscuity; prostitution; usually used of women
• PUT FAT ON ONE’S RIBS
vb. to make happy …Bk1913 Amer. dial.
• PUT FOR TALL TIMBER
vb. to run off …M19 sl.
• PUT-FORTH
n. 1581 obs. rare – an impostor, a pretender, or perhaps a braggart
• PUT HAIR ON YOUR CHEST
phr. a quality ascribed to an alcoholic drink or, when encouraging a child to eat, used of food, esp. crusts and Brussels sprouts; also applied to robust or challenging questions of aesthetic taste or preference …1964 UK sl.
• PUTID
adj. 1. 1580 rare – morally or intellectually corrupt or worthless; base, foul, loathsome
adj. 2. 1660 rare – physically rotten, putrid
• PUT IN
n. 1853 US colloq. – one’s affair or business; usually in negative contexts
vb. 1922 sl. – to incriminate
• PUT IN A BAG
adj. killed, wrapped in a shroud … World War I Amer. sl.
• PUT IN ADVENTURE
vb. to put in jeopardy, to imperil, to risk, to stake …1297
• PUT IN COLD STORAGE
vb. to ruin; to destroy …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PUT IN ONE’S BEST LICKS
vb. to work hard; to do one’s best …1851 Amer. dial.
• PUT IN ONE’S LICKS
vb. to work hard; to do one’s best …1847 Amer. dial.
• PUT IN ONE’S NICKEL’S WORTH
vb. to intrude in a conversation …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PUT IN ONE’S OAR
vb. to interfere; to voice an unwanted opinion …1730 sl.
• PUT IN ONE’S POCKET
vb. to convert into money …1857 Amer. dial.
• PUT IN THE ACID
vb. to inform on, to tell tales about, to poison someone’s mind against …1900s sl.
• PUT IN THE AIR
vb. to rob someone …1911 US criminals’ sl.
• PUT IN THE CAN
vb. to finish a project or task …1954 US sl.
• PUT IN THE FANGS
vb. to beg …1910s Aust. sl.
• PUT IT ABOUT
vb. 1817 Brit. sl. – to be sexually promiscuous
• PUT IT ALL OVER
vb. 1884 colloq., orig. US – to defeat or beat easily; to trounce
• PUT IT ALL OVER ON
vb. to cheat; to deceive …L19 sl., orig. US
• PUT IT THERE
phr. 1872 colloq., orig. US – shake hands
• PUT IT WHERE THE MONKEY PUTS THE NUT
vb. to stick it up one’s anus; used as a vulgar retort …1922 Amer. sl.
• PUT LEAD IN ONE’S PENCIL
vb. to enable one to have an erection …1941 sl.
• PUT LIPSTICK ON HIS DIPSTICK
vb. of a woman: to perform penilingus …M20 US sl.
• PUT-OFF
n. 1. 1623 rare – delay; postponement
n. 2. 1977 colloq. – something off-putting or repellent
(verbs as ‘put off’)
vb. 1. M18 Aust. & US criminals sl. – to distribute counterfeit money
vb. 2. 1930s Aust. sl. – to lay off from work; to dismiss
vb. 3. 1990s Aust. sl. – to kill; to murder
vb. 4. 20C sl. – to disconcert
• PUT-ON
adj. affected, pretentious …a1625 US sl.
n. 1. one who affects airs …E18 sl.
n. 2. an old female beggar who specializes in ‘putting on’ a look that makes her look as pitiful as possible …L19 sl.
n. 3. an affectation, a pretense; a deception; a hoax; a prank …1919 colloq.
(verbs usually as ‘put on’)
vb. 1. to affect airs …E18 sl.
vb. 2. to inform; to let someone know …M19 UK & US criminals’ sl.
vb. 3. to tease; to joke with ; to deceive for one’s own gain …M19 sl.
vb. 4. to get dressed …20C Ulster sl.
vb. 5. to arrest and/or charge on the basis of concocted evidence; to ‘frame up’ …1910s Aust. criminals’ sl.
vb. 6. to eat …1930s sl.
vb. 7. to annoy; to irritate …1960s sl.
vb. 8. to do, to make happen to …1960s sl., orig. African-American
vb. 9. to request …1960s sl.
• PUT ON A BOSS
vb. to affect a squint in order to make oneself look more threatening …L19 sl.
• PUT ON A CIGAR
vb. to smoke a cigar in order to make oneself seem smarter than one is …L19 sl.
• PUT ON A CRUMB ACT
vb. to impose on another person …1950s Aust. sl.
• PUT ON A FACE
vb. to change one’s expression …L19 sl.
• PUT ON AN ACT
vb. to show off, to talk for display, to behave insincerely …1934 sl.
• PUT ON A QUEUE
vb. of a woman: to have sex with a line of partners, one after the other …1970 Aust. sl.
• PUT-ON ARTIST
n. a hoaxer, a tease …1930s US sl.
• PUT ON A SLAB
vb. to fight in private to settle a score …20C prison sl.
• PUT ON A SMOKE
vb. to light a pipe or cigarette …L19 sl.
• PUT ON BEEF
vb. to put on weight …M19 sl.
• PUT ON DAWG
vb. to ‘put on side’; to behave arrogantly …20C sl.
• PUT ON DOG
vb. 1. to show off; to put on airs; to something energetically or noisily …M19 sl., orig. US
vb. 2. to have sexual intercourse …1970s sl., orig. US
• PUT ONE BACK
vb. to cost …1896 Amer. sl.
• PUT ONE DOWN
vb. to humiliate someone …1958 sl., orig. US
• PUT ONE FLASH TO ANYTHING
vb. to put him on his guard; to inform …Bk1893 sl.
• PUT ONE HYP
vb. to put one ‘wise to’; to inform …Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• PUT ONE IN
vb. to shoot dead …1980s US sl.
• PUT ONE IN HIS PLACE
vb. to humiliate …Bk1892 Amer. sl.
• PUT ONE IN THE HEAD OF
vb. to remind one; to cause one to recollect …1750 Eng. dial.
• PUT ONE INTO A TAPTOO
vb. to excite one’s wrath; to produce violent passion …Bk1905 Sc. obs.
• PUT ONE ON SOMEONE
vb. to hit, to punch …1980s sl.
• PUT ONE OUT ON HIS EAR
vb. to suddenly embarrass one …1967 Amer. dial.
• PUT ONE OVER (ON)
vb. to cheat; to deceive …L19 sl., orig. US
• PUT ONE’S ASS ON THE LINE
vb. to put oneself into a position of responsibility; to take risks; to face punishment …1980s US sl.
• PUT ONE’S BACK INTO
vb. to use all one’s efforts or strength in a particular endeavour
• PUT ONE’S BACK UP
vb. to make annoyed …c1800 colloq.
• PUT ONE’S BALLS ON THE LINE
vb. to put oneself into a position of responsibility; to take risks; to face punishment …1980s US sl.
• PUT ONE’S BEARD IN A BLAZE
vb. to be in a great rage …1817 Sc.
• PUT ONE’S BEST SIDE TOWARDS LONDON
vb. to make the best of things …L19 sl.
• PUT ONE’S BONES UP
vb. to get ready to fight …L19 sl.
• PUT ONE’S CHECKS IN THE RACK
vb. to die …1930s US sl.
• PUT ONE’S CUE IN THE RACK
vb. 1. to die …1980s sl.
vb. 2. to retire …1980s sl.
• PUT ONE’S EARS OUT
vb. to listen for news; to gather information …1990s sl.
• PUT ONESELF ABOUT
vb. 1. to go into action …1970s sl.
vb. 2. to lead an active social or sexual life …1970s sl.
• PUT ONESELF AWAY
vb. to pretend; to hoax …1930s sl.
• PUT ONESELF OUT
vb. to make an effort that involves some inconvenience to oneself …1861 sl.
• PUT ONE’S EYE ON
vb. to become obsessed with at first sight and thus to desire to possess immediately …20C W. Indies
• PUT ONE’S FACE ON
vb. usually of women: to put on makeup …1950s sl.
• PUT ONE’S FEET UP
vb. to take a rest …1903 colloq.
• PUT ONE’S FIST TO
b. to sign …M19 sl.
• PUT ONE’S FOOT DOWN
vb. 1. to insist; to be adamant; to make a firm decision, usually against something …M19 sl.
vb. 2. to curtail, to restrict …1910s sl.
vb. 3. to accelerate and drive a vehicle fast …1930s sl.
• PUT ONE’S FOOT IN IT
vb. to spoil something by some tactless blunder or remark; to make an error …L18 sl.
• PUT ONE’S FOOT IN ONE’S MOUTH
vb. to make an embarrassing verbal mistake, discomfiting oneself as well as the hearer …1940s sl.
• PUT ONE’S FOOT IN SOMEONE’S ASS
vb. to attack someone physically; to treat someone unkindly …1940s African-American sl.
• PUT ONE’S FOOT ON THE FLOOR
vb. to accelerate a motorcar …1920s sl.
• PUT ONE’S HAND DOWN
vb. to pay, to stand one’s turn …20C sl.
• PUT ONE’S HAND IN AN EMPTY CORN-JAR
vb. to marry a poor woman …20C W. Indies sl.
• PUT ONE’S HAND UP
vb. to confess …1970s sl.
• PUT ONE’S HANDS UP
vb. to surrender; to give in; to confess …1980s Brit. police & criminals’ sl. to hit, to punch …1980s sl.
• PUT ONE’S HEAD ON THE BLOCK
vb. to declare oneself openly; to take a risk or stand that may be dangerous …1950s sl.
• PUT ONE’S HEAD OUT
vb. to murder …2000s African-American gang sl.
• PUT ONE’S HEAD UNDER THE KNIFE
vb. to declare oneself openly; to take a risk or stand that may be dangerous …1950s sl.
• PUT ONE’S HOOF IN IT
vb. to make an error …L18 sl.
• PUT ONE’S LIGHTS OUT
vb. to kill one; to knock one out or down …1866 Amer. dial.
• PUT ONE’S LIP IN
vb. to intrude in a conversation …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PUT ONE’S LONG EYE ON
vb. to covet, to desire for oneself …20C W. Indies. sl.
• PUT ONE’S MONEY WHERE ONE’S MOUTH IS
vb. to back one’s boasting with suitable action …1940s sl., orig. US
• PUT ONE’S MOUTH IN
vb. to intrude in a conversation …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PUT ONE’S MOUTH IN ONE’S POCKET
vb. to be forced to make a heavy payment after losing a libel suit …20C W. Indies sl.
• PUT ONE’S MOUTH ON
vb. to denigrate, to slander …20C W. Indies sl.
• PUT ONE’S NAME IN THE POT
vb. to count on in planning a meal …Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• PUT ONE’S NOSE OUT OF JOINT
vb. to humiliate …Bk1892 Amer. sl.
• PUT ONE’S OAR IN
vb. to interfere, to meddle …c1730 colloq.
• PUT ONE’S PEN TO THE WIND
vb. of a prisoner: to tell an officer to file disciplinary report; of an officer: to tell a prisoner to file a grievance …2000s US prison sl.
• PUT ONE’S PIPE OUT
vb. to humiliate …Bk1892 Amer. sl.
• PUT ONE’S SHIRT ON
vb. to bet all one’s money on, esp. a horse in a race …1892
• PUT ONE’S SOCKS ON
vb. to bet heavily …L19 gambling sl.
• PUT ONE’S THUMB ON IT
vb. to keep secret, to conceal; to remain silent …1905 Sc.
• PUT ONE’S TIME IN
vb. to spend time; to occupy one’s time …L19 sl.
• PUT ONE’S WEIGHT ON IT
vb. to dance energetically …2000s African-American sl.
• PUT ONE’S WEIGHTS UP
vb. to cause trouble deliberately …1920s NZ sl.
• PUT (ONE) THROUGH A COURSE OF SPROUTS
vb. 1. to thrash; to castigate; to give one a good drubbing …19C Amer. dial.
vb. 2. to subject to hard work; to make one do certain hard things; to subject to hard discipline …19C Amer. dial.
• PUT ONE TOGETHER
vb. to plan a crime …1970s UK criminals’ sl.
• PUT ONE UNDER HACK
vb. to embarrass, to tease …1952 Amer. dial.
• PUT ONE WHERE HE BELONGS
vb. to humiliate …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PUT ON ICE
vb. to ruin; to destroy …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PUT ON JAM
vb. to give oneself airs …1882 Aust. sl.
• PUT ON LUGS
vb. to put on airs …1889 US sl.
• PUT ON ONE’S FACE
vb. usually of women: to put on makeup …1950s sl.
• PUT ON ONE SIDE
vb. to decline, to reject; to throw over …Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• PUT ON PARTS
vb. to give oneself airs …1893 Eng. dial.
• PUT ON SIDE
vb. to give oneself airs …1878 sl.
• PUT ON THE AGONY
vb. 1. to complain, to moan; the implication is that the problems are not wholly genuine; hence, to exaggerate …1837 sl., orig, theatrical usage
vb. 2. to dress according to the latest fashion; to overdress …1906 Amer. dial.
• PUT ON THE ARSE BIT
vb. to indignantly tell someone what you think of him or her …1975 Aust. sl.
• PUT ON THE BAG
vb. to dine …1924 Amer. sl.
• PUT ON THE CHILL
vb. to act coldly toward a person; to snub …20C Amer. sl.
• PUT ON THE COAT
vb. to place someone in a position of disfavour …1940s Aust. sl.
• PUT ON THE DOG
vb. to behave or dress in an ostentatious or showy manner; to show off; to put on airs; to something energetically or noisily …1865 sl., orig. US
• PUT ON THE EXTINGUISHER
vb. to ruin; to destroy …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PUT ON THE FAN
vb. to hurry, to move quickly; to depart hurriedly …1967 Amer. dial.
• PUT ON THE FEED BAG
vb. to eat a meal …1987 Amer. dial.
• PUT ON THE FIE-FIE
vb. to make a fuss; to upbraid …L19 sl.
• PUT ON THE GYVER
vb. to behave or speak affectedly …1864 sl., chiefly Aust. & NZ
• PUT ON THE HIGH PAN
vb. to speak in an affected pseudo-English manner …1949 Sc.
• PUT ON THE NOSE-BAG
vb. to eat …1874 jocular usage
• PUT ON THE RACK
vb. to strain to the utmost …1818
• PUT ON THE SHAM
vb. to carry out a lie or hoax …1960s Amer. sl.
• PUT ON THE SPOT
vb. to arrange for someone to be killed …1929 US sl.
• PUT ON YOUR HAPPY FEET
vb. to prepare to dance up a storm …1960s Amer. sl.
• PUTOR
n. 1565 obs. rare – a bad or unpleasant smell
• PUTOUR
n. c1390 obs. – a pimp or procurer; a fornicator
• PUT-OUT
adj. 1. 1836 – disgruntled, annoyed; unhappy
adj. 2. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – dead
n. 1833 US obs. – an annoyance or inconvenience
vb. 1947 US sl. – (as ‘put out’) of a woman: to offer oneself for sexual intercourse
• PUT OUT FOR THE LONG COUNT
adj. dead …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PUT OUT OF SIGHT
vb. to eat …c1870 colloq.
• PUT OUT THE MILLER’S EYE
vb. to add too much water or milk to any mixture …1839 Eng. dial.
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