put it to

Idioms

Present for consideration, as in Let's put it to a vote , or I put it to you, I did the best I could under the circumstances . [Mid-1700s]
Present something in a forceful, candid manner to someone, as in I can't put it to you any more clearly—stay away from the electrical equipment .
Overburden with tasks or work, as in They really put it to him, expecting to do all the packing .
Blame on, as in They didn't know who broke the window so they put it to Sam .
Take unfair advantage, cheat, as in That used-car dealer really put it to Betty .

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But Handsome was a friend, and Duane knew that Handsome preferred, as he put it, to obey the rules and etiquette of society in regard to the decorum of social gatherings both big and small.

From Literature

I put it to my mouth and took a sip.

From Literature

Designer and content creator Alexei Hamblin has put it to the test.

From BBC

Mark Stewart KC, defending, put it to White that she did not know the circumstances of why they were reacting the way that they were.

From BBC

The city's waterworks bureau said in a statement on Thursday that it was grateful for the gold donation and would put it to good use - including tackling the deterioration of water pipes.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023