put somebody/something on phrasal verb ( see also ↑ put )
1 . CLOTHES put something ↔ on to put a piece of clothing on your body OPP take off :
He took off his uniform and put on a sweater and trousers.
I’ll have to put my glasses on; I can’t read the sign from here.
2 . ON SKIN put something ↔ on to put ↑ make-up , cream etc on your skin:
I’ve got to put this cream on twice a day.
3 . AFFECT/INFLUENCE SOMETHING put something on something to do something that affects or influences someone or something else:
The government put a limit on imports of textiles.
Pat was putting pressure on him to leave his wife.
4 . START EQUIPMENT put something ↔ on to make a light or a piece of equipment start working by pressing or turning a button or switch SYN switch on , turn on :
He got up and put on the light.
Shall I put the kettle on?
5 . MUSIC put something ↔ on to put a record, tape, or ↑ CD into a machine and start playing it:
She put on some music while they ate.
6 . PRETEND put something ↔ on to pretend to have a particular feeling, opinion, way of speaking etc especially in order to get attention:
Sheila’s not really that upset; she’s just putting it on.
Leaving the court, the families all tried to put on a brave face (=not show that they were sad or worried) .
7 . put on weight/12 lbs/4 kg etc to become fatter and heavier SYN gain :
Rosie’s put on five kilos since she quit smoking.
8 . EVENT/CONCERT/PLAY ETC put something ↔ on to arrange for a concert, play etc to take place, or to perform in it:
One summer the children put on a play.
9 . SHOW WHAT YOU CAN DO put something ↔ on to show what you are able to do or what power you have:
The team need to put on another world-class performance.
10 . COOK put something ↔ on to start cooking something:
Shall I put the pasta on now?
11 . PROVIDE SOMETHING put something ↔ on British English to provide a service for people, especially a special one:
BA is putting on extra flights to cover the Christmas rush.
12 . you’re putting me on! especially American English spoken used to tell someone that you think they are joking:
He wouldn’t do that – you’re putting me on.
13 . RISK MONEY put something on something to risk an amount of money on the result of a game, race etc SYN bet :
We put £50 on Brazil to win the Cup.
14 . ADD put something on something to add an amount of money or tax onto the cost of something:
Can smokers really complain if more tax is put on cigarettes?
15 . TELEPHONE put somebody ↔ on to give someone the telephone so that they can talk to someone who is telephoning:
Can you put Janet on?