put to bed

Idioms  

1. Complete something and either set it aside or send it on to the next step, as in We put the magazine to bed at ten, or They said they'd put the whole project to bed at least a month ago. This expression, transferring nighttime retirement to other kinds of completion, was first applied to a newspaper, where it meant “send to press,” that is, start to print. [Mid-1900s]

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Example Sentences

The decrease is unlikely to put to bed the row over the steep pricing that also drew rebukes from football's governing body, FIFA.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

The girl, who is identified only as Kumanjayi Little Baby for cultural reasons, was last seen on Saturday when she was put to bed at an Aboriginal town camp near Alice Springs just before midnight.

From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026

My children were eventually put to bed, but my wife stayed up to watch with me for a few hours, her expression stoic.

From Salon • Mar. 7, 2026

With at least a dozen players on board, any fears of coming up empty were put to bed.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 3, 2025

When we returned to Mr. Lai’s house, Hari was put to bed at once.

From "Homeless Bird" by Gloria Whelan

Related Words

• accomplish
• achieve
• close
• conclude
• determine
• develop
• do
• end
• execute
• finalize
• finish
• halt
• perform
• realize
• settle
• wrap up