English Phrase of the Day

put on

Definitions

English > English
put on
He put the pen on the table.
Put it on the list.
The doctor put me on a diet.
1. v. To don (clothing, equipment or the like).
Why don't you put on your jacket. It's cold.
2. v. To fool, kid, deceive.
You must be putting me on.
She's putting on that she's sicker than she really is.
3. v. To assume, adopt or affect; to behave in a particular way as a pretense.
Why are you putting on that silly voice?
He's just putting on that limp -- his leg's actually fine.
4. v. To play (a recording).
I'll put on your favorite record.
Can you put on The Sound of Music? I'd like to see it again.
5. v. To initiate cooking or warming, especially on a stovetop.
I'll put on some coffee for everybody.
6. v. To perform for an audience.
The actors put on a show.
7. v. To organize a performance for an audience.
8. v. (obsolete) To hurry up; to move swiftly forward.
Analysis
put
1. v. To place something somewhere.
She put her books on the table.
2. v. To bring or set into a certain relation, state or condition.
Put your house in order!
He is putting all his energy into this one task.
on
1. adj. In the state of being active, functioning or operating.
2. adj. Performing according to schedule.
Are we still on for tonight?
Is the show still on?
3. adj. (chiefly UK, informal, usually negative) Acceptable, appropriate.

It's the usual show put on by the government.

I need to put on a mask so no one can tell that this is me.

I got a pair of jeans you can put on if you want.

There have been many wars before this one, but I have never heard of a case of anyone being put on trial for having lost, except by their own people.

They put on cloaks and go out onto the roof.

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