put (someone or something) (up) on a pedestal

put (someone or something) (up) on a pedestal

To believe or behave as if someone or something is perfect, wonderful, or better than others, to the extent that one is unable to see its potential flaws or faults. I know it's easy to be smitten with a romantic partner, but it isn't healthy to put someone up on a pedestal. Stephen has been putting classic literature on a pedestal ever since college, so he gets really judgmental of other genres he deems to be inferior.See also: on, pedestal, put

on a pedestal, put

Also, set on a pedestal. Greatly admire, magnify in importance, as in Youngsters tend to put rock stars on a pedestal, forgetting that they're human. This expression alludes to the raised position of a statue on a pedestal. [Mid-1800s] See also: on, put

put someone on a pedestal

COMMON If someone puts you on a pedestal, they believe that you are perfect. Note: A pedestal is a base on which something such as a statue stands. I put my own parents on a pedestal. I felt they could do no wrong. Note: Other verbs such as place or set can be used instead of put. He had set her on a pedestal. Note: You can say that someone is on a pedestal or sits on a pedestal when people think of them in this way. The Emperor is still safely on a pedestal.See also: on, pedestal, put, someone

put someone on a pedestal

admire someone greatly but uncritically.See also: on, pedestal, put, someone