What are the definitions of “put down”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Kill an animal because it's old, ill, etc..
He had his dog PUT DOWN because it was in a lot of pain from its tumours.
- 2Stop holding ( but withdraw support gently ).
PUT the gun DOWN slowly and keep your hands where I can see them.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “put down”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb put down is to stop holding something or to place something on a surface. For example, it can mean placing a book on a table or setting a glass down on a counter.
What are the different verb forms of “put down”?
| Root Verb | put down |
| Third Person Singular Present | puts down |
| Present Participle | putting down |
| Simple Past | put down |
| Past Participle | put down |
Example
Please put down your bags on the floor.
Example
She puts down her phone when she's talking to someone.
Example
He is putting down the groceries on the kitchen counter.
Example
Yesterday, they put down their backpacks in the hallway.
Example
The heavy box was put down in the corner of the room.
What kind of phrasal verb is “put down”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“put down” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She put down the book on the table.
Example
He put the glass down on the counter.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“put down” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She put down the book on the table.
Example
He put the glass down on the counter.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “put down”?
Put down an animal
To euthanize or kill an animal, usually because it is old, sick, or in pain.
Example
The veterinarian had to put down the horse after it broke its leg.
Put someone down
To insult or belittle someone, often to make oneself feel superior.
Example
He always puts down his coworkers to make himself look better.
Put down a deposit
To pay an initial sum of money as a guarantee or partial payment for something, such as a house or a car.
Example
They put down a deposit on their new apartment.
Good things to know
Does “put down” have an informal or formal tone?
Put down is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can also be used in more formal settings, depending on the specific context. For example, when discussing euthanizing an animal or making a financial transaction, such as putting down a deposit, it can have a more formal tone.
What are synonyms of antonyms to the phrasal verb “put down”?
Synonyms
Antonyms
- compliment
- encourage
- pick up
- lift
- raise
- praise
- support
- uplift
