put down

What does "put down" mean?

1. To place something on a surface
2. To criticize or insult someone
3. To write or record something
4. To pay a deposit
5. To euthanize an animal (euphemism)

Examples

• Put down that knife—it's dangerous!
• He's always putting her down in front of others.
• Let me put down your number so I don't forget it.
• We put down a deposit on the apartment yesterday.
• They had to put down the dog because it was very sick.

How to use it

A 'put-down' (noun) is an insulting remark. Be careful with this phrasal verb—meanings vary significantly by context.

Word order

Separable: 'put something down' or 'put down something'; 'put someone down'

Similar expressions

Opposites

Related phrasal verbs

• put on

  To place clothing or accessories on your body

• put off

  To postpone or delay something

• put up

  To build or erect something

• put away

  To return something to its proper place

• put together

  To assemble something from separate parts

• put out

  To extinguish a fire or cigarette