put it to

put it to idiom
  1. 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]
  2. 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.
  3. Overburden with tasks or work, as in They really put it to him, expecting to do all the packing.
  4. Blame on, as in They didn't know who broke the window so they put it to Sam.
  5. Take unfair advantage, cheat, as in That used-car dealer really put it to Betty.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Comments


Do you have more to add? Sign in to share your linguistic knowledge or observation.

Connect with Facebook