put someone (or something) through their (or its) paces
Make someone (or something) demonstrate their (or its) abilities: military musicians put would-be bandsmen through their paces...- At Plymouth she will be put through her paces on her ability to berth and secure to a buoy, along with her storing facilities.
- This is sure to attract a lot of attention both from entrants and spectators who can watch the dogs being led around their enclosure where they will be put through their paces and obedience tests.
- It's not uncommon to see executives and engineers helicopter prototypes down to the trail, where a test driver puts the new vehicle through its paces.
See parent entry: pace