Did you
know?

put-down
noun phrase

- a critical, disparaging or humiliating remark

(American Heritage Dictionary)

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The noun "put-down" stems from the verbal phrase "put down," which uses put in the sense of "moving something or someone into a place, position or direction" and down as in "a lower position." Although the expression appears to be centuries old, it first gained popularity in the counter-culture era of the 1960s.

Put is found in so many different verbal phrases, we could not possibly list them all here. But below are a few examples that will help you enhance your everyday conversations:

- put off = delay (We have to put off the party until next week)

- put back = return (When she realized how expensive the shoes were, she put them back)

- put behind = to try to forget something (He put the past behind and moved on with his life)

- put out = produce (The company is putting out a lot of new products)

- put up with = tolerate, ignore (She doesn't put up with nonsense from anyone)

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SYNONYMS

aspersion, character assassination, cheap shot, cut, dig, jibe, insult, invective, slam, slap, slight, snub, zinger

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SMUGGLE OWAD into today's conversation

"Politically incorrect language and put-downs are unacceptable in our company."