put up

To attach something to a wall or another surface so people can see or use it.

• Let us put up some pictures.
• They put up new curtains yesterday.
• Who put that sign up on the gate?

How to use it: put something up on something (We put a notice up on the door.)

Similar words: hang, mount

Opposites: take down

Common phrases: put up posters, put up shelves

To let someone stay in your home or another place for a short time.

• We can put you up tonight.
• They put us up in their spare room.
• Could you put my brother up for the weekend?

How to use it: put someone up for a period (My cousin put me up for two nights.); put someone up at somewhere (The company put us up at a hotel.)

Similar words: accommodate, house

Common phrases: put someone up, put up guests

To show effort or resistance when facing an opponent, threat, or difficulty.

• They put up strong resistance.
• Our team put up a good fight.
• She put up a brave defence of her decision.

How to use it: put up a fight (The team put up a fight despite losing.)

Similar words: offer, mount

Common phrases: put up resistance, put up a fight

To persuade or dare someone to do something, especially something wrong or silly.

• Who put you up to this?
• Her brother put her up to playing the trick.
• Nobody put me up to it; it was my idea.

How to use it: put someone up to something (Who put you up to this trick?); put someone up to doing something (His friends put him up to hiding my shoes.)

Similar words: egg on, incite

Opposites: deter

Common phrases: put someone up to, put up someone

To place something in a higher position.

• Put the bags up there.
• She put the suitcase up on the shelf.
• Can you put this box up where the children cannot reach it?

How to use it: put something up on something (Put the box up on the top shelf.)

Similar words: place higher

Opposites: put down

Common phrases: put something up, put up luggage

To place something where it is kept when it is not being used.

• Please put up your tools.
• She put the dishes up after dinner.
• Have you put the toys up yet?

How to use it: put something up (Put the dishes up after washing them.)

Similar words: put away, store

Opposites: take out

Common phrases: put up tools, put something up