put-up

American  

[poot-uhp] / ˈpʊtˌʌp /

adjective

Informal.

1. planned beforehand in a secret or crafty manner.

   a put-up job.

---

put up British  

verb

1. to build; erect

   to put up a statue

2. to accommodate or be accommodated at

   can you put me up for tonight?

3. to increase (prices)

4. to submit or present (a plan, case, etc)

5. to offer

   to put a house up for sale

6. to provide or supply; give

   to put up a good fight

7. to provide (money) for; invest in

   they put up five thousand for the new project

8. to preserve or can (jam, etc)

9. to pile up (long hair) on the head in any of several styles

10. (also intr) to nominate or be nominated as a candidate, esp for a political or society post

    he put his wife up as secretary

    he put up for president

11. archaic to return (a weapon) to its holder, as a sword to its sheath

    put up your pistol!

12. 1. to inform or instruct (a person) about (tasks, duties, etc)

    2. to urge or goad (a person) on to; incite to

13. informal to endure; tolerate

---

adjective

1. dishonestly or craftily prearranged or conceived (esp in the phrase put-up job )

put up Idioms  

1. Erect, build; also, lift to a higher position. For example, They put up three new houses on our street , or She looks more grownup when she puts up her hair in a bun . [c. 1600]

2. Preserve, can, as in She put up countless jars of jam . [Early 1800s]

3. Nominate, as in Tom put up Peter for president . [Late 1500s]

4. Provide funds, especially in advance, as in They put up nearly a million for the new museum .

5. put someone up . Provide lodgings for, as in We can put you up for the night . [Mid-1700s]

6. Startle game from cover, as in The hunter put up three grouse . [Late 1400s]

7. Offer for sale, as in They had to put up their last antiques . [Early 1700s]

8. Make a display or appearance of, as in They were actually broke but put up a good front . [First half of 1800s]

9. Do well in a contest, as in They put up a good fight . [Late 1800s]

10. Stake money for a bet, as in Each player put up ten dollars . [Mid-1800s]

---

Etymology

Origin of put-up

First recorded in 1800–10; adj. use of verb phrase put up

Example Sentences

The 2022 season may be pivotal for the Commanders: a new quarterback era, the owner still being investigated by Congress, the coach looking at a put-up or shut-up season.

From Washington Times

“This is not quite a put-up job, but nonetheless has been cobbled together so that Ghislaine is made to face the charges that Epstein never faced,’’ Ian Maxwell said.

From Washington Times

Takeover Panel extends CD&R's "put-up or shut-up" deadline until Aug. 20.

From Reuters

Takeover Panel extends CD&R’s “put-up or shut-up” deadline to Aug. 20.

From Reuters

“In the eyes of many Haredim, these rules are applied selectively. They are a put-up job,” said Lamdan, who noted that he agreed with some, but not all, of the criticisms leveled against Gamzu.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• provide
• take in