1
general::
Phrase(s): put something on
to place clothing onto one’s body; to get into a piece of clothing. • I put a heavy coat on to go outside in the cold. • Please put on this one and see if it fits., Phrase(s): put something on someone or something
to place or set something on someone or something. • She put sand on Tom as he lay napping on the beach. • Please put the paper on the coffee table., Phrase(s): put someone on
to tease or deceive someone innocently and in fun. • Come on! You’re just putting me on! • He got real mad even though they were only putting him on., Phrase(s): put something on someone or an animal
to clothe someone or an animal in something. • The mother put a little jacket on her child. • Alice puts a silly little coat on her poodle during the winter., Phrase(s): put on
to pretend; to act as if something were true. • Ann wasn’t really angry. She was just putting on. • I can’t believe she was just putting on. She really looked mad., Phrase(s): put someone or something on something
to place someone or something on top of something. • The man put the child on the pony and led it about. • June put the lid on the pickle jar and put it in the fridge.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs
2
general::
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; mid1900s] 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]
American Heritage Idioms