American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms

[Early 1800s] pull wires

hand. see PULL STRINGS.

pulse

hand. see TAKE THE PULSE OF.

pump iron

Lift weights, as in She's started pumping iron three times a week. This idiom was born with the late20th-century stress on physical fitness. [Second half of 1900s]

pump up

1. Inflate with gas or air, as in This tire needs pumping up. [Late 1800s] 2. Fill with enthusiasm, strength, and energy, as in The lively debate pumped us all up. Mary Wollstonecraft used this idiom in slightly different form in The Rights of Women (1792): ''Lover-like phrases of pumped-up passion."

punch

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with PUNCH, also see BEAT TO IT (THE

PUNCH); CAN'T PUNCH ONE'S WAY OUT OF A PAPER BAG; PACK A PUNCH; PLEASED AS PUNCH; PULL NO PUNCHES; ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES; SUCKER PUNCH; THROW A PUNCH.

punch in

1. Also, punch a or the clock. Check in at a job upon arrival, as in You have to punch in or you won't get paid, or In this office no one has to punch a clock. This usage alludes to the use of a time clock, which has a button an employee punches or strikes to record the time of arrival on a

card. [1920s] Also see PUNCH OUT, def. 1. 2. Keyboard data into a computer, as in

He was careful about punching in all the payments. [Mid-1900s]

punch out

1. Record one's time of departure from work, as in We never punch out at exactly five o'clock. This usage, dating from the 1920s, alludes to the use of a time clock. Also see PUNCH IN, def. 1. 2.

Eject from a military aircraft, as in The pilot punched out just before the plane blew up. [Slang; 1960s]

punishment

hand. see GLUTTON FOR PUNISHMENT.

puppy love Also, calf love. Adolescent love or infatuation, especially one that is not expected to

last, as in Beth is besotted with him, but we think it's just puppy love, or He's got a bad case of calf love. [First half of 1800s]

pure and simple

No more and no less, plainly so, as in This so-called educational video is really a game, pure and simple. This expression is very nearly redundant, since pure and simple here mean "plain" and "unadorned." Oscar Wilde played on it in The Importance of Being Earnest (1895): "The truth is rarely pure and never simple." [Second half of 1800s]

pure as the driven snow

Morally unsullied, chaste, as in She's just sixteen and pure as the driven snow. This simile dates from the late 1500s, although driven, which means "carried by the wind into drifts," was occasionally omitted. It is heard less often today.

purpose

hand. see AT CROSS PURPOSES; FOR ALL INTENTS AND PURPOSES; ON PURPOSE; SERVE A PURPOSE; TO GOOD PURPOSE; TO LITTLE OR NO PURPOSE.

hand. In addition to the idiom beginning with PURSE, also see CAN'T MAKE A SILK PURSE

OUT OF A SOW'S EAR.

purse strings

Financial resources or control of them, as in His mother doesn't want to let go of the purse strings because he may make some foolish investments. This expression is often extended to hold or tighten or loosen the purse strings, as in As long as Dad holds the purse strings, we have to consider his wishes, or The company is tightening the purse strings and will not be hiring many new people this year. The purse strings in this idiom are the means of opening and closing a drawstring purse. [Early 1400s]

push around

Treat or threaten to treat roughly, bully, domineer, as in I won't let him push me around.

[Colloquial; c. 1920] push comes to shove, if Also, when push comes to shove. When matters must be confronted, when a crucial point is reached, as in If push comes to shove, the Federal Reserve Board will lower the interest rate, or They supposedly support equality, but when push comes to shove they always seem to promote a man instead of a woman. This term comes from rugby, where, after an infraction of rules, forwards from each team face off and push against one another until one player can kick the ball to a teammate and resume the game. Its figurative use dates from the 1950s. Also see the synonym IF WORST COMES TO WORST.

push it

Be overly insistent or forward, as in I promise to think over your proposal, but don't push it. This

idiom uses push in the sense of "force some activity or issue." [First half of 1800s]

push off Also, shove off. Leave, set out, depart, as in The patrol pushed off before dawn, or It's time to shove off. This usage alludes to the literal meaning of a person in a boat pushing against the bank or dock to move away from the shore. [Colloquial; early 1900s]

push on

1. Also, press on. Continue or proceed along one's way, as in The path was barely visible, but we pushed on, or It's time to push on to the next item on the agenda. [Early 1700s] 2. push something on someone.

Thrust something on someone for acceptance or attention, as in She's always pushing second helpings on her guests. [Early 1700s]

push one's luck Also, press one's luck. Risk one's good fortune, often by acting overconfidently, as in We've gotten all but one of the concessions we asked for; demanding that last one would be pushing our luck, or You've done very well so far, but don't press your luck. [Early 1900s]

push paper

Do administrative, often petty, paperwork. For example, She spent the whole day pushing paper for her boss. [Colloquial; second half of 1900s]

push someone's buttons Also, press someone's buttons. Draw a strong emotional reaction from someone, especially anger or sexual arousal. For example, My mother-in-law really knew how to push my buttons, or A good-looking redhead, she always seemed to press his buttons. This metaphoric expression transfers activating some mechanism by pushing buttons to human emotions. [Slang; 1920s]

push the envelope

Exceed the limits of what is normally done, be innovative, as in They are pushing the envelope in using only new fabrics for winter clothing. This idiom comes from aviation, the envelope alluding to the technical limits of a plane's performance, which, on a graph, appear as a rising slope as limits of speed and stress are approached and falls off when the capacity is exceeded and the pilot loses control; safety lies within these limits, or envelope, and exceeding them exposes pilot and plane to risk. [Slang; late 1960s]

push the panic button Also, press the panic button. Overreact to a situation, as in Don't worry; Jane is always pushing the panic button, but I'm sure the baby's fine. This term originated during World War II, when certain bombers had a bell-warning system so that the crew could bail out if the plane was severely hit. Occasionally a pilot would push the button in error, when there was only minor damage, causing the crew to bail out unnecessarily. By 1950 the expression had been transferred to other kinds of overreaction.

push up daisies

Be dead and buried, as in There is a cemetery full of heroes pushing up daisies. This slangy expression, alluding to flowers growing over a grave, was first recorded about 1918, in one of Wilfred Owen's poems about World War I.

put

hand. In addition to the idioms beginning with PUT, also see (PUT) AT EASE; (PUT ON

A) BRAVE FACE; CART BEFORE THE HORSE, PUT; CLAMP DOWN (PUT THE CLAMPS ON); FLESH OUT (PUT FLESH AND BONE ON); FOR (PUT IN ONE'S) TWO CENTS; (PUT ON A) HAIR SHIRT; HARD PUT; (PUT) IN EFFECT; (PUT) IN THE PICTURE; LAY (PUT) ONE'S CARDS ON THE TABLE; LAY (PUT) ONE'S HANDS ON; LAY (PUT) THE BLAME ON; (PUT SOMEONE'S) NOSE OUT OF JOINT; NOT PUT SOMETHING PAST SOMEONE; (PUT) OFF THE TRACK; (PUT) ON A PEDESTAL; (PUT) OUT OF BUSINESS; PULL (PUT OVER) A FAST ONE; PUT ONE'S HEAD ON THE BLOCK; THROW (PUT) OFF THE SCENT. Also see under SET.

put a bug in someone's ear

Give someone a hint about something, as in Janet put a bug in her husband's ear about getting the children a dog for Christmas. This idiom presumably likens the buzzing about of an insect to a hint, although the exact analogy is not clear. [c. 1900]

put across

1. Cause to be understood or accepted, as in She put her views across very well. [c. 1920] 2. Attain or carry through by deceit, as in You can't put anything across this teacher. [c. 1920] Also

see PUT OVER, def. 3.

put a damper on

Discourage, dishearten, deter, as in Grandpa's death put a damper on our Christmas holidays. This idiom employs the noun damper in the sense of "something that damps or depresses the spirits," a usage dating from the mid-1700s.

put all one's eggs in one basket

Risk all of one's resources in a single venture, as in He had warned Peter about investing heavily in a single stock; it was putting all his eggs in one basket. This proverb, first recorded in 1710, has largely replaced the much older trust all one's goods to one ship. Mark Twain played on it in Pudd'nhead Wilson (1894): "The fool saith, 'Put not all thy eggs in one basket' . . . but the wise man saith, 'Put all your eggs in one basket, and watch that basket!'"

put an end to Also, put a stop to. Terminate, abolish, as in It's time they put an end to their feud, or The police chief vowed to put a stop to prostitution. This locution is more emphatic than the plain verbs end or stop. [Mid-1600s]

put an idea in one's head

hand. see PUT IDEAS INTO SOMEONE'S HEAD.

put a premium on

Value more highly than usual, as in Her employer put a premium on honesty and hard work. First

recorded in 1907, this term is almost always used figuratively.

put aside

1. Also, put by or away. Save, store up for future use, as in We put aside all the toys for our grandchildren, or James put by dozens of cans of tomatoes this year, or She put away some of her salary every month. The first two terms date from the late 1700s, the third from the late 1800s. 2.

Also, set aside. Place out of the way, as in The clerk put the bruised fruit aside to sell at reduced prices, or We set aside the outdoor furniture before we water the lawn. [Late 1800s]

put a spin on

Give a certain meaning or interpretation to. Spin is usually modified by an adjective in this expression, as in Robert was adept at putting positive spin on weak financial reports, or This chef has put a new spin on seafood dishes. Also see SPIN DOCTOR. [1980s]

put at ease

hand. see AT EASE.

put at someone's disposal

Allow one to use, as in They put their car at our disposal for our entire stay. This idiom employs disposal in the sense of "the liberty or power to use something," a usage dating from the early-1600s.

put away

1. Place in a designated spot for storage; also, place out of reach. For example, Please put away your clothes, or This young tennis player can really put away the ball. Also see SET ASIDE, def.

1. 2. Renounce, discard, as in Put away all those negative thoughts. [Late 1300s] 3. Consume quickly, ingest readily, as in He put away his dinner in just a few minutes. [Colloquial; late 1800s] 4. Confine to a mental health facility, as in The doctor said we had to put her away. [Colloquial; late 1800s] 5. Kill, as in The vet put our old cat away. [Colloquial; late 1500s]

put back the clock

see SET BACK, def. 3.

put behind one

1. Try to forget, make an effort not to be bothered by, as in He had to put that failed negotiation behind him and make a fresh start. [Mid-1800s]

put by

hand. see SET ASIDE, def. 1.

put down

1. Write down; also, enter in a list. For example, Please put down my name for a free ticket, or Put me down as a subscriber. [Second half of 1500s] 2. Bring to an end, repress, as in They managed to put down the rebellion in a single day, or We've got to put down these rumors about a takeover.

[c. 1300] 3. Kill a sick animal, as in The vet said the dog must be put down. [Mid-1500s] Also see

PUT

AWAY, def. 5. 4. Belittle, disparage, criticize, as in Her husband was always putting her down. [c. 1400] Also see RUN DOWN, def. 6. 5. Ascribe, attribute, as in We put her poor performance down to stage fright. [Late 1700s] 6. Regard, classify, as in We put her down as a hypochondriac. [Mid-1800s] 7. Pay a deposit, as in

We put down $2,000 for the car. 8. Store for future use, as in David put down ten cases of this year's Chablis. [Mid-1800s] 9. Land in an aircraft; also, land an aircraft, as in What time will we put down at Heathrow? or She put the plane down exactly on the runway. [c. 1930] 10. Put a child to bed, as in The sitter said she'd put Brian down at 8:30. [Second half of 1900s]

put down roots

Settle somewhere, become established, as in We've put down roots here and don't want to move away. This metaphoric expression, first recorded in 1921, likens the rooting of a plant to human settlement.

put forth

1. Grow, as in This bush puts forth new shoots each spring. [First half of 1500s] 2. Bring to bear, exert, as in We'll have to put forth a great deal more effort. [c. 1400] 3. Also, set forth. Offer for consideration, as in She put forth at least three new ideas. [Mid-1300s] 4. Bring to notice, publish, as in The appendix puts forth a fresh analysis of events. [Mid-1500s] 5. See SET FORTH.

put forward

Propose for consideration, as in His attorney put forward a claim on the property, or They put me forward for the post of vice-chair. [Mid-1800s]

put hair on one's chest

hand. see PUT LEAD IN ONE'S PENCIL.

put heads together

hand. see PUT OUR HEADS TOGETHER.

put ideas into someone's head Also, put an idea in someone's head. Suggest something to someone, as in No, we're not moving?

what put that idea in your head? [Mid-1800s]

put in

1.Make a formal offer of, as in a court of law. For example, He put in a plea of not guilty. [Mid-1400s]

2.Interpose, interject; see PUT IN A GOOD WORD; PUT ONE'S OAR IN. 3. Spend

time at a location or job, as in He put in three years at hard labor, or She put in eight hours a day at her desk. [Mid-1800s] 4. Plant, as in We put in thirty new trees. [Early 1800s] 5. Enter a port or harbor, as in The yacht will put in here for the night. [Early 1600s] 6. put in for. Request or apply for something, as in I put in for a raise, or John put in for department supervisor.

[c. 1600]

put in a good word

Make a supportive remark or favorable recommendation. For example, Please put in a good word for me with the supervisor, or When you see her, put in a good word for the department. The use of good word for a laudatory utterance dates from about 1200.

put in an appearance Also, make an appearance. Be present, especially for a short time, as in We were hoping the rock star would put in an appearance, but she didn't show up, or She was tired and didn't want to go to the party, but decided she had to make an appearance.

[Second half of 1600s]

put in mind of

hand. see PUT ONE IN MIND OF.

put in mothballs

Defer indefinitely or for a very long time, as in We've put the plans for a new library in mothballs.

This expression alludes to storing woolen clothing or other items with marble-size balls of naphthalene or camphor to prevent them from being damaged by moths. [1940s]

put in one's place

hand. see PUT SOMEONE IN HIS OR HER PLACE.

put in one's two cents

hand. see under FOR TWO CENTS.

put in order

Arrange in proper sequence; see IN ORDER, def. 1; also PUT ONE'S HOUSE IN ORDER.

put in the way of Also, put in one's way. 1. Obstruct or impede, as in The police put a traffic barrier in the way of northbound motorists, or I don't want to put anything in the way of your

advancement. [c. 1500] 2. See IN ONE'S WAY, def. 2.

put into effect

hand. see IN EFFECT, def. 2.

put into practice Also, put in practice. Carry out in action, as in It's time we put these new ideas into practice. Shakespeare used this idiom in Two Gentlemen of Verona (3:2): "Thy advice, this night, I'll put in practice." [Mid-1500s]

put into words

Express verbally, as in I find it hard to put my feelings into words. [Late 1800s]

put it mildly

Understate, say without exaggeration, as in It's a fairly long way to walk, to put it mildly?

twenty miles or so. [First half of 1900s]

put it to

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.

put lead in one's pencil

Enhance or restore sexual vigor, as in Try one of these hot peppers; that'll put lead in your pencil.

This phrase, a euphemism for causing an erection, is considered far more vulgar than the contemporary synonym put hair on one's chest, alluding to a secondary male sex characteristic. [Colloquial; c. 1900]

put money on Also, put one's money on. Bet on; also, consider likely or nearly certain, expect. For example, Jean put her money on Contender but the horse came in last, or I'm sure the President will speak to the crowd; I'd put money on it. This idiom was first recorded in 1931.

put off

Delay or postpone, as in He always puts off paying his bills. This idiom, dating from the late 1300s, gave rise to the proverb Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today, first recorded in the late 1300s (in Chaucer's Tale of Melibee) and repeated ever since. Also see PUT ONE

OFF.

put on

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]

put on a brave face

hand. see BRAVE FACE.

put on a brave front

hand. see BRAVE FRONT.

put on airs

Assume a haughty manner, pretend to be better than one is, as in I'm sick of Claire and the way she puts on airs. Airs here means "a manner of superiority." [c. 1700]

put on an act

Pretend, especially in order to deceive; also, show off. For example, We were afraid Charlie had hurt himself, but he was just putting on an act, or We know you're a good swimmer?

stop putting on an act. [c. 1930]

put on a pedestal

hand. see ON A PEDESTAL.

put one in mind of

Remind one, as in You put me in mind of your grandmother. This idiom was first recorded in 1530. For a synonym see CALL TO MIND.

put one into the picture

hand. see IN THE PICTURE.

put one off

1. Repel or repulse someone, as in His bad manners put her off, or They were put off by the bad smell.

[c. 1900] 2. put someone off. Persuade someone to delay further action, as in He put off the creditors, promising to pay next week, or They managed to put him off from suing. [Early 1600s]

put one off one's stride Also, put one off one's stroke. Interfere with one's progress, distract or disturb one, as in The interruption put her off her stride for a moment, and she took several seconds to resume her train of thought, or The noise of the airplanes overhead put her off her stroke, and she missed the next ball. The first term, first recorded in 1946, alludes to the regular pace of a walker or runner; the variant, first recorded in 1914, alludes to the regular strokes of a

rower. Also see THROW OFF THE TRACK.

put one out

1. Inconvenience one, as in Will it put you out if we arrive early? Also see PUT ONESELF OUT.

[Mid1800s] 2. Offend or irritate one, as in His watching television while I visited put me out. [Early 1800s] Also see PUT OUT.

put one's back into it

Make a strenuous effort, as in If you put your back into that report, you'll soon be done. This idiom alludes to physical labor involving the strength of one's back. It was first recorded in 1882.

put one's back up

hand. see GET ONE'S BACK UP.

put one's best foot forward

Try for the best possible impression, make a good start, as in Come on, let's put our best foot forward for this interview. The allusion in this idiom is unclear, though it may concern marching. One theory is that best foot means "the right foot," the left being regarded as unlucky. [Late 1500s]

put one's cards on the table

hand. see LAY ONE'S CARDS ON THE TABLE.

put oneself in someone's place

hand. see PUT SOMEONE IN HIS OR HER PLACE, def. 2.

put oneself out

Make a considerable effort, go to a lot of trouble, as in Laura put herself out trying to make everyone feel at home. [Mid-1800s] Also see PUT ONE OUT.

put one's face on

Apply makeup, as in Helen won't stir out of the house before she puts her face on. [Colloquial; second half of 1900s]

put one's feet up

Rest, as in After a day of gardening I'm ready to put my feet up.

put one's finger on Also, lay one's finger on. 1. Identify, as in I can't put my finger on the man in that photo. [Late 1800s]

2. See LAY A FINGER ON.

put one's foot down