1. seize or arrest a person: The police will soon put their hands on the jewel thieves. 2. physically abuse a person: If I could put my hands on the swine who informed on me, he wouldn’t do any more spying for a long time. put the arm on someone—(coll.) 1. demand money, etc. of a person: The lights on the football field need to be replaced. So they put the arm on the alumni, raise enough money, and get the job done. 2. apply pressure to a person: Pett has put the arm on him for a show of solidarity, which Sam elected to promise, evidently without meaning to. put one’s heart into something • set one’s heart on something put one’s heart into something—do smth. with enthusiasm: As a lad, I couldn’t stick to anything—couldn’t seem to put my heart into any sort of work. set one’s heart on something—wish for smth. strongly; be determined about smth.: When once he’s set his heart on a thing he won’t rest till he gets it. put one’s mind to something • turn one’s mind to something put one’s mind to something—(also: set one’s mind to some- thing ) devote a lot of attention to a task: He put his mind to the problem of establishing a means of supporting those who had taken the pledge of abstinence. turn one’s mind to something—begin to think seriously about smth.: I shook off my feelings of dread and turned my mind to finding a way out of there. Cf.: turn someone’s mind to some- thing — cause a person to think about smth.: I’ve been thinking about history … and your invitation turned my mind to the story of women in the West. put one’s money in something • put one’s money on something put one’s money in something—invest one’s money in a busi- ness in the hope of gain: People are advised not to put their money in companies where there is a high risk. put one’s money on something—(also: lay one’s money on some- thing ) 1. stake a sum of money on smth. such as a sporting event: If you’ve got any sense, you’ll put your money on that horse I told you of. 2. favor smth.; expect smth. to succeed: I haven’t really seen any technology to this date that I would put my money on . put one’s name down for something • put one’s name to something put one’s name down for something—1. apply for a position, etc.: He was called up having put his name down for the RAF and after initial training he was sent overseas. 2. promise to subscribe for a certain sum: One man after another said that he would be willing to put his name down for five or six pounds. put one’s name to something—sign a declaration, etc.: The former assistant Chief of Defense Staff put his name to the appeal, alongside retired general Sir Hugh Beach. See also: give a name to something / give one’s name to some- thing. put one’s seal to something • put the seal on something put one’s seal to something—(also: set one’s seal to something) give one’s authority to smth.: They continue to look for a replacement; a puppet leader to put his seal to a treaty of capitulation. put the seal on something—(also: set the seal on something) bring smth. to a formal end: Why not have another glass of champagne to put the seal on what will be a truly memorable day. put one’s shoulder to the wheel • set the wheels in motion put one’s shoulder to the wheel—set to work vigorously con- tributing to a collective endeavor: I want to put my shoulder to the wheel , together with others, to help make Atlanta a better place for everyone. set the wheels in motion —get smth. started: To set the wheels in motion , the very first step is to complete an application form and skills checklist. See also: keep the wheels turning / spin the wheels. put oneself in someone’s place • take the place of someone put oneself in someone’s place—(also: put oneself in someone’s shoes) imagine oneself to be in smb.’s position or predicament: Maybe I am overreacting, but put yourself in my place . How should I explain all this to my manager? Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase put someone in his place—1. scold a person, usually for rude remark or bad behavior: He is being so mean to the cus- tomers. Someone needs to put him in his place ! 2. remind smb. in an angry way that he is not as important as he thinks he is: Somebody please put him in his place . As a scientist, I hate it when he speaks for “all scientists.” take the place of someone—replace or supersede a person: Emile owed his education to an aunt, a saintly woman who took the place of his deceased mother. Note: Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase swap places with someone—exchange seats, jobs, etc. with another person: In France last year there was an inmate who swapped places with his twin and escaped. put oneself in someone’s shoes • step into someone’s shoes put oneself in someone’s shoes—(also: put oneself in someone’s place) imagine oneself to be in smb.’s position or predicament: Lest the readers think that I am being too hard on Mr. Blair, or not “putting myself in his shoes ,” let me briefly explain my situation. step into someone’s shoes—succeed a person in a job, position, etc.: He will retire soon and there are several people hoping to step into his shoes . Cf.: wait for dead men’s shoes—wait for the death of a person with the hope of succeeding to his possessions or office: The whole propertied class is waiting for dead men’s shoes all the time. See also: be in someone’s shoes / fill someone’s shoes. put out the flags • show the flag put out the flags—celebrate some special occasion, such as one’s victory, success, etc.: I think it is premature to put out the flags for the government’s proposals. show the flag—(also: fly the flag) support or represent one’s country (by attending an event): The Kuwaiti team won no medals, but said they were only in Peking to show the flag . put someone away • put someone off put someone away—1. confine a person in a mental home or prison: It was like those nightmares in which the dreamer sees himself put away for lunacy. 2. (euph., of an animal) put to death: The dog Billy was dying, and in September he had to be put away . put someone off—1. allow a person to leave a vehicle: Would you please put me off at the railway station? 2. discourage a person from smth.: I’ve been trying to see you, but your sec- put one’s heart into something – 276 –