put down

Definitions

1. 1

   To insult, belittle, or demean.

   • They frequently put down their little sister for walking slowly.
   • People try to put us down / Just because we get around.
2. 2

   Of money as deposit, to pay.

   • We put down a $1,000 deposit.
3. 3

   To halt, eliminate, stop, or squelch, often by force.

   • The government quickly put down the insurrection.
   • When the Nexus first arrived in Andromeda and an uprising arose among the desperate crew, it was William Spender who convinced clan leader Nakmor Morda to put down the mutineers. By all accounts, it did not go well.
4. ›+ 15 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      To euthanize (an animal).

      • Rex was in so much pain, they had to put him down.
      • A couple walking in Kirkleatham Woods, Redcar, heard whimpering and found the terrier-type animal in a mound of earth at about midday. It was rushed to a vet but its injuries were so serious it had to be put down.
   2. 5

      To execute (a person), especially extrajudicially.

      • The only thing left to do before putting the plan into action was checking the barracks for stragglers, and putting them down. She placed the first three bombs, then crept to the final door and opened it.
   3. 6

      To write (something).

      • Put down the first thing you think of on this piece of paper.
      • I hope you don't mind That I put down in words How wonderful life is while you're in the world
   4. 7

      To terminate a call on (a telephone)

      To terminate a call on (a telephone); to hang up.

      • Ray eventually called at 7pm and took the school’s side. He sounded imperious and distant and made me even angrier. I told him he sounded just like my father, and put the phone down on him.
      • Don't put the phone down. I want a quick word with him, too.
   5. 8

      To add a name to a list.

      • I've put myself down for the new Spanish conversation course.
   6. 9

      To make prices, or taxes, lower.

      • BP are putting petrol and diesel down in what could be the start of a price war.
   7. 10

      To place a baby somewhere to sleep.

      • I had just put Mary down when you rang. So now she's crying again.
   8. 11

      To give something as a reason for something else.

      • She put her long life down to daily meditation.
   9. 12

      Of an aircraft, to land.

      • The pilot managed to put down in a nearby farm field.
   10. 13

       To drop someone off, or let them out of a vehicle.

       • The taxi put him down outside the hotel.
   11. 14

       To cease, temporarily or permanently, reading (a book).

       • I was unable to put down The Stand: it was that exciting.
   12. 15

       To drink.

       • I put down two bottles of red wine.
   13. 16

       To set type in lowercase

       To set type in lowercase; to switch type from capital to lowercase letters.

   14. 17

       Used other than figuratively or idiomatically

       Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see put, down.

       • Why don't you put down your briefcase and stay awhile?
       • "There he is!" cried Mrs. Flanders, coming round the rock and covering the whole space of the beach in a few seconds. "What has he got hold of? Put it down, Jacob! Drop it this moment!
       • As she did so Fanny put down her book, stood up and stretched her arms, and at once Jessamy noticed a difference.
   15. 18

       Alternative spelling of put-down.

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