idioms using “put”

Put one’s finger on

To identify

“The police had no clues to follow until a shop owner put his finger on the thief.”

Put paid to

To suddenly stop something

“The leg injury put paid to the athlete’s Olympic dreams.”

Put out feelers

To give hints about a future action to gauge people’s opinions on it

“The politician put out feelers about a possible run for Prime Minister.”

Put the brakes on

To slow something down

“The board of directors put the brakes on Asian expansion when the yen rate became so volatile.”

Put teeth into

To strengthen

“The president thought her speech was too weak so her speechwriters put teeth into it in the final rewrite.”