put someone in his or her place

put someone in his or her place

1. Rebuke someone, remind someone of his or her position, as in Alice is entirely too rude; it's time you put her in her place. The noun place here denotes one's rank or position. [Mid-1900s]

2. Also, put oneself in someone's place. Imagine being someone else, as in Just put yourself in my placehow would you deal with it? [Mid-1600s]