to stop holding something and place it on a table, shelf, etc.
Example:
- Put that knife down before you hurt somebody!
- It's a great book. I couldn't put it down (= stop reading it).
- She put the phone down on me (= ended the call before I had finished speaking).
Related words and phrases
to write something; to make a note of something
Example:
- The meeting's on the 22nd. Put it down in your diary.
to pay part of the cost of something
Example:
- We put a five per cent deposit down on the house.
to stop something by force
Example:
- to put down a rebellion
- The military government is determined to put down all opposition.
Related words and phrases
to kill an animal, usually by giving it a drug, because it is old or sick
Example:
- We had to have our cat put down.
to put a baby to bed
Example:
- Can you be quiet—I've just put the baby down.
to present something formally for discussion by a parliament or committee
Example:
- to put down a motion/an amendment
Related words and phrases