Put Up – Meaning and Examples
Life requires us to tolerate annoyances, host visitors, and display things around our homes. In English, we use the phrase put up for all these situations. This common idiom has several practical meanings for daily life.
What Does “Put Up” Mean?
“Put up” has three main meanings. It can mean to tolerate or endure something unpleasant. It can mean to provide temporary accommodation for someone. It can also mean to display or attach something on a wall or surface. Think of it like enduring noise, hosting a friend, or hanging a picture.
When to Use It
Use the tolerance meaning when dealing with annoying situations. Use the hosting meaning when someone stays at your home. Use the display meaning when placing decorations or signs. It is a neutral phrase, good for both casual and slightly formal conversations.
Example Sentences
- I can’t put up with his constant complaining anymore.
- We can put you up for the weekend if you need a place to stay.
- Let’s put up some decorations for the birthday party.
- She put up with a difficult boss for two years before quitting.
Mini Dialogue
Tom: “My cousin is visiting the city next month and needs a place to stay.”
Maria: “We can put him up in our guest room if he doesn’t mind the sofa bed.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Remember, the meaning changes with context. Pay attention to which meaning fits your situation.
❌ Don’t say: “I will put up my groceries in the kitchen.” (Use “put away” instead).
✅ Do say: “I won’t put up with rude behavior from customers.”
Practice Tip
Think of one thing you tolerate in your daily life, like traffic or a noisy neighbor. Say a sentence like “I have to put up with heavy traffic every morning.” This practices the most common use.
Final Note
You now understand the different meanings of “put up” for tolerating, hosting, and displaying. This versatile phrase will help you describe everyday situations more accurately. Pay attention to context, and you’ll be using this idiom correctly in no time!
