- PUT generates more phrasal verbs than almost any other common English verb.
- Some PUT phrasal verbs are separable (the object can come between verb and particle); others are inseparable.
- When a pronoun is used with a separable phrasal verb, it must always go in the middle: "put it off" not "put off it".
- Put up with (tolerate) is always inseparable — you cannot split it with the object.
- Many PUT phrasal verbs have multiple meanings that depend entirely on context.
The verb PUT is one of the most productive verbs in English for forming phrasal verbs. Combined with different particles (off, up, down, through, forward, out, across), it creates a wide range of meanings that are used constantly in spoken and written English. Mastering PUT phrasal verbs dramatically improves both comprehension and production at B1-C1 level.
The challenge with phrasal verbs is that their meanings are often unpredictable from the individual words — and many PUT phrasal verbs have two or more distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common and important PUT phrasal verbs systematically, with examples drawn from everyday conversation, academic English, and professional contexts. See also our guide to advanced English collocations for related vocabulary strategies.
1. Put off
Separable | Frequency: very high
| Meaning | Example | Synonyms |
|---|---|---|
| To postpone or delay | "Don't put off doing your taxes until the last minute." / "The match was put off because of rain." | postpone, delay, defer |
| To discourage or cause disinterest | "The queues put me off going back." / "He was put off the idea by the cost." | discourage, deter, dissuade |
| To distract | "Stop making that noise — you're putting me off!" (British informal) | distract, disturb |
With pronouns, put off is always split: "put it off" (correct) — never "put off it". With noun objects, both positions are possible: "put off the meeting" = "put the meeting off".
2. Put up with
Inseparable | Frequency: very high
Put up with means to tolerate something unpleasant without complaining. It is always three words and is never separated by the object. This is one of the most frequently used informal expressions in English and appears in both speaking and writing at all registers from B2 upward.
- "I can't put up with this noise any longer."
- "How do you put up with such a demanding schedule?"
- "She put up with the discomfort rather than complain."
- "There's only so much we can put up with before we say something."
Note: you CANNOT say "put the noise up with" or "put it up with" — the object always follows the complete phrasal verb: "put up with it".
3. Put down
Separable | Frequency: very high | Multiple meanings
| Meaning | Example |
|---|---|
| Place on a surface | "Put that heavy box down before you hurt yourself." |
| Criticise or humiliate | "She's always putting people down — it makes team meetings miserable." |
| Write or record | "Put down your answer in the space provided." / "Can I put you down as a reference?" |
| Suppress a rebellion/movement | "The uprising was quickly put down by the authorities." |
| Euthanise an animal | "The vet advised us to have the dog put down — he was in too much pain." |
| Pay as a deposit | "We put down a 10% deposit on the house last week." |
4. Put forward
Separable | Frequency: high (especially in formal/professional contexts)
Put forward means to propose or suggest something — an idea, plan, date, or name — for others to consider. It is more formal than "suggest" and is commonly used in meetings, academic writing, and political contexts. Learn more about professional English vocabulary in our English for researchers guide.
- "She put forward an interesting proposal at the board meeting."
- "Several candidates have been put forward for the role."
- "I'd like to put forward the idea of a monthly team lunch."
- "The theory was first put forward by Darwin in 1859."
5. Put out
Separable | Frequency: high | Multiple meanings
| Meaning | Example |
|---|---|
| Extinguish (fire, flame) | "The fire brigade put out the blaze before it spread." |
| Inconvenience someone | "I hope I'm not putting you out by asking for a lift." |
| Publish or broadcast | "The company put out a statement this morning." |
| Annoy (passive: be put out) | "She was quite put out when her suggestion was ignored." |
| Extend (a hand, foot) | "He put out his hand to help her up." |
6. More Essential PUT Phrasal Verbs
The table below covers additional high-frequency PUT phrasal verbs that frequently appear in B2-C1 examinations (Cambridge First, Advanced, Proficiency) and everyday professional communication. Practise them with LexFizz grammar exercises.
| Phrasal verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| put across | Communicate a message clearly | "She put her ideas across very convincingly." |
| put through | Connect by phone; cause to experience | "I'll put you through to the manager now." / "She put her family through a difficult time." |
| put up | Erect; accommodate; raise (prices) | "They put up a new sign." / "Can you put me up for the night?" / "The landlord put up the rent." |
| put aside | Save money; ignore temporarily | "Put aside your differences for now." / "I put aside £50 a month." |
| put in | Install; submit; invest (time/effort) | "We put in a new kitchen." / "She put in 60 hours this week." |
| put on | Dress in; organise an event; gain weight; assume a manner | "Put on your coat." / "They put on a great show." / "She's putting on a brave face." |
A highly effective way to learn PUT phrasal verbs is to keep a phrasal verb journal. Each time you encounter a new PUT phrasal verb in reading or listening, write the sentence, the meaning, and one example of your own. Aim to actively use two or three new phrasal verbs in conversation or writing each week.
Practise Phrasal Verbs with LexFizz
Drill put off, put up with, and all major PUT phrasal verbs with free gap-fill and matching exercises.
Explore Exercises →Frequently Asked Questions
What does "put off" mean in English?
Put off has two main meanings: (1) To postpone or delay: "I keep putting off going to the dentist." (2) To discourage or cause someone to lose interest: "The high price put me off buying it." Both meanings are separable — you can say "put the meeting off" or "put off the meeting". With pronouns, always split: "put it off."
What does "put up with" mean?
Put up with means to tolerate something unpleasant without complaining. It is always three words and is not separable: "I can't put up with this noise any longer." "How do you put up with such a difficult boss?" Synonyms: tolerate, bear, stand, endure. In informal speech, put up with is far more common than formal synonyms like tolerate or endure.
What does "put down" mean?
Put down has several meanings: (1) To place something on a surface: "Put your bags down over there." (2) To criticise or humiliate someone: "She put him down in front of the whole team." (3) To write or record: "Put down your name and contact number." (4) To suppress by force: "The rebellion was quickly put down." (5) To euthanise a sick animal: "The vet said they had to put her down."
What does "put forward" mean?
Put forward means to suggest or propose an idea, plan, or candidate for consideration: "She put forward a proposal to reduce working hours." "Several names were put forward for the committee." It is a more formal alternative to suggest and is common in professional, academic, and political contexts. It is separable: "He put the idea forward" = "He put forward the idea."
What does "put out" mean?
Put out has several meanings: (1) To extinguish fire: "Firefighters put out the blaze in two hours." (2) To inconvenience someone: "I hope I'm not putting you out by asking for this favour." (3) To produce or publish: "The company put out a press release yesterday." (4) British English informal — to be offended or annoyed: "She looked quite put out when she wasn't invited."
What does "put across" mean?
Put across means to communicate an idea or message successfully so that others understand it: "She put her argument across very clearly in the debate." "It's difficult to put across complex ideas in a short presentation." "Did I put my point across clearly?" Synonyms: convey, communicate, get across, express.
What does "put through" mean?
Put through has two main meanings: (1) To connect someone by phone: "Hold on, I'll put you through to the manager." (2) To cause someone to experience something difficult: "She put her family through a lot of stress during that period." Related: put through a test/process means to make someone or something undergo evaluation: "The new software was put through rigorous testing."
Are phrasal verbs with PUT separable or inseparable?
It varies: Separable: put off, put down, put forward, put out, put across, put through, put up. Inseparable: put up with (you CANNOT say "put the noise up with"). When a pronoun is used, it must always go in the middle of separable phrasal verbs: "put it off", never "put off it".
What does "put up" mean?
Put up has several meanings: (1) To build or erect: "They put up a new fence last weekend." (2) To display or attach: "She put up posters around the school." (3) To provide accommodation: "Can you put me up for the night?" (4) To raise prices or amounts: "The landlord put the rent up again." (5) To offer for sale or consideration: "The house has been put up for sale."
How can I practise phrasal verbs with PUT effectively?
Effective practice strategies: (1) Learn phrasal verbs in context — find authentic examples in books, articles, or TV rather than isolated lists; (2) Create your own example sentences using each phrasal verb in a situation relevant to your life; (3) Practise substitution — what one-word synonym could replace the phrasal verb?; (4) Use spaced repetition flashcards with gapped sentences; (5) Use LexFizz gap-fill and matching exercises targeting phrasal verb combinations.