retary keeps putting me off . 3. distract smb. from work or an activity: The singer was put off by a sudden noise outside, and was unable to continue. Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase lay someone off—stop employing a person (because of a lack of work): Hundreds of workers were laid off when the fac- tory was closed after the fire. put someone in • put someone inside put someone in—1. employ smb. for a specific position: The post office was moved five miles to the railroad station, and they put in a new man. 2. enter smb. for an examination, con- test, etc.: At first the manager refused to put me in but the fans almost started a riot, screaming to let me play. 3. get a person elected: Until the people have had a chance to vote on his performance in his first term, I don’t think we should be asked to put him in . put someone inside—(coll.) put a person in prison: Sharon Gilmour was childish and spoiled, and was put inside on drug charges. put someone in charge • put someone on a charge put someone in charge—cause a person to have supervision or control of smth.: The day when the editor put me in charge of a department was an important mile post. put someone on a charge—(legal) accuse a person of a par- ticular offence: Patrick trembles with fear and relief when he thinks of Mr. Fergusson who first put him on a charge . See also: take charge of someone / take someone in charge. put someone into the chair • send someone to the chair put someone into the chair—(also: put someone in the chair) 1. elect a person chairman: Most of the meetings were held in our Church House, and at all of them I was put into the chair . 2. nominate a person to a position of authority: A demagogue of greater talent may practically pull the wires of a President whom he has put into the chair . send someone to the chair—sentence a criminal to death by electrocution: “Reckon what they’ll do to Floyd for that?” “Send him to the chair probably,” Jim Howard said. put someone on to someone • put someone through to someone put someone on to someone—1. put smb. in touch with a per- son, especially by telephone: John insisted on being put on to the man in charge. 2. inform of a person’s whereabouts (so that he can be caught): Sooner or later he will be spotted in the street, and the police will be put on to him. put someone through to someone— = put someone on to some- one 1: He tells me that he can’t help me but he will put me through to someone who can. put someone on trial • take someone on trial put someone on trial—cause a person to be tried in a court of law: Four persons were put on trial as participators in the attempt. take someone on trial—see whether smb. is suitable for a job by letting the person do it for a short time: I will take the maid for a month on trial . put someone out of oneself • take someone out of oneself put someone out of oneself—overpower smb. with a strong emotional effect as to make a person helpless or ineffective: I had never faced the grim fear exactly in this shape before. It put me out of myself for a little time. take someone out of oneself—amuse or interest a person so as to distract his attention from his worries or concerns: There was nothing that he could do—no action which would take him out of himself and ease the tension of his thoughts. Note: Neither expression is antonymous in meaning to the phrase bring someone to oneself1. cause a person to return to consciousness: A glass of ice water in the face brought her to herself . 2. make smb. return to reality (remember his surround- ings, etc.): The sudden sound of the train whistle brought me to myself . put someone through • put someone through it put someone through—1. cause smb. to go through an oper- ation, a course of study, etc.: I was able to put all my students through , except three whose English was the weakest. 2. put smb. in touch with a person by telephone: He lifted the receiver — listened and then said: “Put her through .” put someone through it—subject a person to a severe test or trying experience: Evidently she had been put through it in the interval, for she was crying bitterly. put someone to the acid test • put the acid on someone put someone to the acid test—submit smb. to a crucial test that will show his qualities: His words hit me with a jolt of truth, and after listening to him speak, I decided to put him to the acid test . put the acid on someone(Austral., NZ sl.) exert pressure on a person (to obtain a loan, favor, etc.): They want to shift the ship at seven. That puts the acid on us. put someone up for something • put someone up to something put someone up for something—1. propose smb. as a candidate for a position: We’ll put him up for treasurer at the next com- mittee meeting. 2. bring a person into court to stand trial: The jewel thieves will be put up for trial next month. Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase put someone down for something1. decide that smb. is a particular kind of person: I fear they put me down for a prig, an upstart, an abominable aristocrat. 2. put a person’s name on a list of participants, contributors, etc.: We’re having a picnic and everyone is bringing something. Can I put you down for potato salad? put someone up to something—1. prepare smb. for a job or task; instruct a person: Get an expert to put him up to the job in as short a time as possible. 2. encourage a person to behave mischievously or unlawfully: He’s not been out of trou- ble all term, and he’s been put up to it by some of the older boys. put someone’s pot on • put the pot on put someone’s pot on—(Austral., NZ sl.) inform against a per- son; destroy smb.’s prospects: I been there about the same time as you, Tom, and I haven’t had a rise yet. Wonder if Myers put my pot on . put the pot on—(UK sl.) stake a sum of money on smth. such as a sporting event, etc. despite the risk of loss: Alta- mont put the pot on at the Derby, and won a good bit of money. put something across someone • put something across to someone put something across someone—(also: put something over on someone) trick a person into accepting or believing smth.: When I was young and foolish, he put it across me with a hard-luck story. – 277 – put something across someone