put up

phrasal verb

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	put up
he/she/it	puts up
present participle	putting up
past tense	put up
past participle	put up

1
transitive to build something such as a wall, fence, or house
Grants were available to help with the cost of putting up new school buildings.
John was in the garden putting a fence up.
Synonyms and related words
To build something, or to be built
build
erect
put together
2
transitive to fix a picture or notice onto an upright structure such as a wall
She put up a notice about the school trip to Italy.
I put a few posters up to make the room look less bare.
Synonyms and related words
To fasten or join one thing to another
fasten
fix
attach
1. 2a
  to fix a shelf or cupboard onto a wall
  She put up some bookshelves in the study.
  Synonyms and related words
  To fasten or join one thing to another
  fasten
  fix
  attach
3
transitive to increase the value or price of something
Several of the banks have decided to put up their interest rates.
Synonyms and related words
Setting, controlling and changing prices and costs
bargain
beat down
bottom out
4
transitive to provide a large amount of money for something
The family has put up £15,000 towards the cost of the child’s medical treatment.
Synonyms and related words
To spend or to pay money
disburse
spend
pay
5
transitive to raise something, especially so that it is ready to use
I was soaked before I could put my umbrella up.
Put your hood up or you’ll catch cold.
Synonyms and related words
To move up and down or backwards and forwards
swing
bounce
rock
6
transitive to let someone stay in your house
Could you put me up for the night when I come to London?
Synonyms and related words
To provide food or accommodation
accommodate
serve
cater
1. 6a
  intransitive old-fashionedto stay for a short time in a place that is not your home
  put up at/in:
  We put up at a cheap hotel.
  Synonyms and related words
  To live, stay or work in a particular place
  live
  arrive
  settle down
7
transitive to suggest that someone should be elected to a particular position
In all, 60 political parties put up candidates.
Synonyms and related words
Elections and relating to the electoral system
alternative vote
AV
ballot rigging
8
transitive (put up something) British same as put forward
It was Clare who first put up the idea of a concert to raise money for the school.
9
transitive (put up something) to make a particular effort in order to achieve or prevent something
Residents have put up a great fight against plans to build a new road.
The victim was able to put up little resistance.
Menzies’ counsel put up a spirited defence of his client.
Synonyms and related words
To try hard to do or get something
work
strive
try
1. 9a
  
  put up
  or
  put on
  Britishto show a particular level of skill or ability in doing something, especially in a competition
  Liverpool put up a marvellous performance throughout the game.
  Synonyms and related words
  To take part in a competition or game
  play
  race
  meet
10
put your hand up/put up your handto raise your arm to show that you want to ask or answer a question, or so that someone can count you
Put your hand up if you know the answer – don’t shout out.
Synonyms and related words
To move your limbs and appendages
reach out
reach
kick
Synonyms and related words
To use a particular gesture to communicate something
acknowledge
bat your eyes/eyelashes
beckon
11
put up or shut upinformalused for telling someone that they should either deal with something or stop talking about doing it
Synonyms and related words
Ways of telling someone to stop talking or to be quiet
be quiet
keep your voice down
shh

put up

put up

put on

put up