put past

Usually with a negative: to believe someone might do something, especially something bad or surprising.

• I wouldn’t put it past him to lie.
• Would you put it past her to cheat?
• We didn’t put anything past that dishonest salesman.

How to use it: not put it past someone to do something (I wouldn’t put it past her to read my messages.)

Common phrases: put something past, put past someone

To move something beyond a person or thing.

• She put the ball past the keeper.
• The striker put another shot past the goalkeeper.
• Can you put the ball past that defender?

How to use it: put something past someone/something (He put the ball past the goalkeeper.)

Similar words: send past

Common phrases: put something past, put past someone

To get someone to accept something false without noticing the trick.

• You can’t put that excuse past Mum.
• He put a false story past the editor.
• Did they really put that trick past the guards?

How to use it: put something past someone (You won’t put that fake receipt past the accountant.)

Similar words: fool, deceive, trick

Common phrases: put something past, put past someone