put-on

[n. poot-on, -awn; adj. poot-on, -awn]
noun Informal.
1.
an act or instance of putting someone on.
2.
a prank or pretense, especially one perpetrated or assumed in mock seriousness; hoax; spoof.
3.
affected manner or behavior; pretentiousness.
adjective
4.
assumed, feigned, pretended, or disguised: a put-on manner that didn't fool anyone.
Origin:
1855–60; adj., noun use of verb phrase put (someone) on

00:10
Put on is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
a fool or simpleton; ninny.
LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Dictionary.com Unabridged

put

[poot] verb, put, put·ting, adjective, noun
verb (used with object)
1.
to move or place (anything) so as to get it into or out of a specific location or position: to put a book on the shelf.
2.
to bring into some relation, state, etc.: to put everything in order.
3.
to place in the charge or power of a person, institution, etc.: to put a child in a special school.
4.
to subject to the endurance or suffering of something: to put convicted spies to death.
5.
to set to a duty, task, action, etc.: I put him to work setting the table.
6.
to force or drive to some course or action: to put an army to flight.
7.
to render or translate, as into another language: He put the novel into French.
8.
to provide (words) with music as accompaniment; set: to put a poem to music.
9.
to assign or attribute: You put a political interpretation on everything.
10.
to set at a particular place, point, amount, etc., in a scale of estimation: I'd put the distance at five miles.
11.
to bet or wager: to put two dollars on a horse.
12.
to express or state: To put it mildly, I don't understand.
13.
to apply, as to a use or purpose: to put one's knowledge to practical use.
14.
to set, give, or make: to put an end to an ancient custom.
15.
to propose or submit for answer, consideration, deliberation, etc.: to put a question before a committee.
16.
to impose, as a burden, charge, or the like: to put a tax on luxury articles.
17.
to invest (often followed by in or into ): to put one's money in real estate; to put one's savings into securities.
18.
to lay the blame of (usually followed by on, to, etc.): He put my failure to lack of experience.
19.
to throw or cast, especially with a forward motion of the hand when raised close to the shoulder: to put the shot.
verb (used without object)
20.
to go, move, or proceed: to put to sea.
21.
Informal. to begin to travel: to put for home.
22.
to shoot out or grow, or send forth shoots or sprouts.
noun
23.
a throw or cast, especially one made with a forward motion of the hand when raised close to the shoulder.
24.
Also called put option. Finance. an option that gives the right to sell a fixed amount of a particular stock at a predetermined price within a given time, purchased by a person who expects the stock to decline. Compare call ( def 52 ).
Verb phrases
25.
put about,
a.
Nautical. to change direction, as on a course.
b.
to start (a rumor); circulate.
c.
to inconvenience; trouble.
d.
to disturb; worry.
e.
to turn in a different direction.
26.
put across,
a.
to cause to be understood or received favorably: She put across her new idea. He puts himself across well.
b.
to do successfully; accomplish: to put a project across.
c.
to be successful in (a form of deception): It was obviously a lie, but he put it across.
27.
put asideby,
a.
to store up; save.
b.
Also, set aside. to put out of the way; place to one side: Put aside your books and come for a walk.
28.
put away,
a.
to put in the designated place for storage: Put away the groceries as soon as you get home.
b.
to save, especially for later use: to put away a few dollars each week.
c.
to discard: Put away those childish notions.
d.
to drink or eat, especially in a large quantity; finish off: to put away a hearty supper after jogging.
e.
to confine in a jail or a mental institution: He was put away for four years.
f.
to put to death by humane means: The dog was so badly injured that the veterinarian had to put it away.
29.
put down,
a.
to write down; register; record.
b.
to enter in a list, as of subscribers or contributors: Put me down for a $10 donation.
c.
to suppress; check; squelch: to put down a rebellion.
d.
to attribute; ascribe: We put your mistakes down to nervousness.
e.
to regard or categorize: He was put down as a chronic complainer.
f.
Informal. to criticize, especially in a contemptuous manner; disparage; belittle.
g.
Informal. to humble, humiliate, or embarrass.
h.
to pay as a deposit.
i.
to store for future use: to put down a case of wine.
j.
to dig or sink, as a well.
k.
to put (an animal) to death; put away.
l.
to land an aircraft or in an aircraft: We put down at Orly after six hours.
30.
put forth,
a.
to bring out; bear; grow: The trees are putting forth new green shoots.
b.
to propose; present: No one has put forth a workable solution.
c.
to bring to public notice; publish: A new interpretation of the doctrine has been put forth.
d.
to exert; exercise: We will have to put forth our best efforts to win.
e.
to set out; depart: Dark clouds threatened as we put forth from the shore.
31.
put forward,
a.
to propose; advance: I hesitated to put forward my plan.
b.
to nominate, promote, or support, as for a position: We put him forward for treasurer.
32.
put in,
a.
Also, put into. Nautical. to enter a port or harbor, especially for shelter, repairs, or provisions.
b.
to interpose; intervene.
c.
to spend (time) as indicated.
33.
put in for, to apply for or request (something): I put in for a transfer to another department.
34.
put off,
a.
to postpone; defer.
b.
to confuse or perturb; disconcert; repel: We were put off by the book's abusive tone.
c.
to get rid of by delay or evasion.
d.
to lay aside; take off.
e.
to start out, as on a voyage.
f.
to launch (a boat) from shore or from another vessel: They began to put off the lifeboats as the fire spread.
35.
put on,
a.
to clothe oneself with (an article of clothing).
b.
to assume insincerely or falsely; pretend.
c.
to assume; adopt.
d.
to inflict; impose.
e.
to cause to be performed; produce; stage.
f.
Informal. to tease (a person), especially by pretending the truth of something that is untrue: You can't be serious—you're putting me on, aren't you?
g.
to act in a pretentious or ostentatious manner; exaggerate: All that putting on didn't impress anyone.
36.
put out,
a.
to extinguish, as a fire.
b.
to confuse; embarrass.
c.
to be vexed or annoyed: He was put out when I missed our appointment.
d.
to subject to inconvenience.
e.
Baseball, Softball, Cricket. to cause to be removed from an opportunity to reach base or score; retire.
f.
to publish.
g.
to go out to sea.
h.
to manufacture; prepare; produce.
i.
to exert; apply: They were putting out their best efforts.
j.
Slang: Vulgar. (of a woman) to engage in coitus.
37.
put over,
a.
to succeed in; accomplish: It will take an exceptional administrator to put over this reorganization.
b.
to postpone; defer: Discussion of this point will be put over until new evidence is introduced.
38.
put through,
a.
to complete successfully; execute: He was not able to put through his project.
b.
to bring about; effect: The proposed revisions have not as yet been put through.
c.
to make a telephone connection for: Put me through to Los Angeles.
d.
to make (a telephone connection): Put a call through to Hong Kong.
e.
to cause to undergo or endure: She's been put through a lot the past year.
39.
put up,
a.
to construct; erect.
b.
to can (vegetables, fruits, etc.); preserve (jam, jelly, etc.).
c.
to set or arrange (the hair).
d.
to provide (money); contribute.
e.
to accommodate; lodge.
f.
to display; show.
g.
to stake (money) to support a wager.
h.
to propose as a candidate; nominate: Someone is going to put him up for president.
i.
to offer, especially for public sale.
j.
Archaic. to sheathe one's sword; stop fighting.
40.
put upon, to take unfair advantage of; impose upon: Some of the employees felt put upon when they were asked to work late.
41.
put up to, to provoke; prompt; incite: Someone put him up to calling us.
42.
put up with, to endure; tolerate; bear: I couldn't put up with the noise any longer.
Idioms
43.
put it to, Slang.
a.
to overburden with work, blame, etc.: They really put it to him in officer-training school.
b.
to take advantage of; cheat: That used car dealer put it to me good.
44.
put oneself out, to take pains; go to trouble or expense: She has certainly put herself out to see that everyone is comfortable.
45.
put something over on, to take advantage of; deceive: He suspected that his friend had put something over on him, but he had no proof.
46.
put to it, to be confronted with a problem; have difficulty: We were put to it to find the missing notebook.
47.
stay put, Informal. to remain in the same position; refuse to move: The baby wouldn't stay put, and kept trying to climb out of the playpen.
Origin:
before 1000; Middle English put(t)en to push, thrust, put, Old English *putian (as verbal noun putung an impelling, inciting); akin to pytan, potian to push, goad, cognate with Old Norse pota to thrust, poke

Related forms
well-put, adjective

Can be confused: put, putt (see synonym study at the current entry).

Synonyms
1. Put, place, lay, set mean to bring or take an object (or cause it to go) to a certain location or position, there to leave it. Put is the general word: to put the dishes on the table; to put one's hair up. Place is a more formal word, suggesting precision of movement or definiteness of location: He placed his hand on the Bible. Lay meaning originally to cause to lie, and set meaning originally to cause to sit, are used particularly to stress the position in which an object is put: lay usually suggests putting an object rather carefully into a horizontal position: to lay a pattern out on the floor. Set usually means to place upright: to set a child on a horse. 16. levy, inflict.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To put on
Collins
World English Dictionary
put (pʊt) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—vb , puts, putting, put
1.  to cause to be (in a position or place): to put a book on the table
2.  to cause to be (in a state, relation, etc): to put one's things in order
3.  (foll by to) to cause (a person) to experience the endurance or suffering (of): to put to death; to put to the sword
4.  to set or commit (to an action, task, or duty), esp by force: he put him to work
5.  to render, transform, or translate: to put into English
6.  to set (words) in a musical form (esp in the phrase put to music)
7.  (foll by at) to estimate: he put the distance at fifty miles
8.  (foll by to) to utilize (for the purpose of): he put his knowledge to good use
9.  (foll by to) to couple a female animal (with a male) for the purpose of breeding: the farmer put his heifer to the bull
10.  to state; express: to put it bluntly
11.  to set or make (an end or limit): he put an end to the proceedings
12.  to present for consideration in anticipation of an answer or vote; propose: he put the question to the committee; I put it to you that one day you will all die
13.  to invest (money) in; give (support) to: he put five thousand pounds into the project
14.  to impart: to put zest into a party
15.  to throw or cast
16.  not know where to put oneself to feel awkward or embarrassed
17.  put paid to to destroy irrevocably and utterly: the manager's disfavour put paid to their hopes for promotion
18.  stay put to refuse to leave; keep one's position
 
—n
19.  a throw or cast, esp in putting the shot
20.  stock exchange Compare call Also called: put option an option to sell a stated amount of securities at a specified price during a specified limited period
 
[C12 puten to push; related to Old English potian to push, Norwegian, Icelandic pota to poke]

put on
 
—vb
1.  to clothe oneself in: to put on a coat
2.  (usually passive) to adopt (an attitude or feeling) insincerely: his misery was just put on
3.  to present or stage (a play, show, etc)
4.  to increase or add: she put on weight; the batsman put on fifty runs before lunch
5.  to cause (an electrical device) to function
6.  (also preposition) to wager (money) on a horse race, game, etc: he put ten pounds on the favourite
7.  (also preposition) to impose as a burden or levy: to put a tax on cars
8.  cricket to cause (a bowler) to bowl
9.  put someone on
 a.  to connect (a person) by telephone
 b.  slang to mock or tease
 
—n
10.  a hoax or piece of mockery
11.  an affected manner or mode of behaviour

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

put
late O.E. putung "instigation, urging," lit. "putting;" also pytan "put out, thrust out" (of eyes), probably from Gmc. stem that also produced Dan. putte "to put," Swed. dial. putta. Meaning "act of casting a heavy stone overhead" (as a trial of strength) is attested from c.1300. Adj. phrase put out
"angry, upset" is first recorded 1887; to put out, of a woman, "to offer oneself for sex" is from 1947. Verb phrase put down "snub" is from c.1400; put-down (n.) first recorded 1962. To put up with "tolerate, accept" (1755) was originally to put up, as in "to pocket." To put (someone) on "deceive" is from 1958; put-on "deception" is from 1937; from an earlier adj. meaning "assumed, feigned" (1621), a fig. extension of the notion of putting on costumes or disguises.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Slang Dictionary

put (so) definition


  1. tv.
    to put someone in prison for a long time. (Underworld.) : They put Bart away for fifteen years.
  2. tv.
    to knock someone unconscious. : One tap on the head and I put him away.
  3. tv.
    to kill someone. (Underworld.) : The gangster threatened to put me away if I told the police.

put (so) definition


  1. tv.
    to tease or deceive someone innocently and in fun. : Come on! You're just putting me on!
  2. tv.
    to introduce someone to cannabis use, usually smoking. (Drugs.) : Where did you get that stuff? Who put you on?
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Idioms & Phrases

put on

  1. Clothe oneself with, as in I put on my socks. [Mid-1400s]

  2. Apply, activate, as in He put on the brakes. [Mid-1700s]

  3. Assume affectedly, pretend to, as in He put on a British accent. This idiom is sometimes put as put it on, as in He's not really asleep; he's putting it on. [Late 1600s; late 1800s]

  4. put someone on. Tease or mislead another, as in I don't believe you! You're putting me on. [Slang; mid-1900s]

  5. Add to, gain, as in Please put this on our bill, or I've put on some weight.

  6. Cause to be performed, produce, as in I hear they're putting on Shakespeare this summer. [Late 1800s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
They slept under the stage and put on their makeup and costumes in a tiny area
  behind the stage.
She rose and dressed and, even though hurrying, put on her pearl earrings.
Of course, people put on weight when they consume more calories than they burn
  off.
But this says nothing of the galaxies themselves, which are usually put on the
  other side of the field equations to the metric.
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