put it to

To present an idea or question for someone to consider or decide.

• Let us put it to a vote.
• She put it to the committee for approval.
• I put it to you that there is another explanation.

How to use it: put it to someone that + clause (I put it to you that this plan is too expensive.); put it to a vote (The chair put it to a vote.)

Similar words: propose, submit, suggest

Common phrases: put it to someone, put it to vote

To express something to someone in a particular way.

• Let me put it to you simply.
• She put it to me gently: my work needed improvement.
• He put it to us bluntly: there was no money left.

How to use it: put it to someone + adverb (Let me put it to you plainly: we need help.)

Similar words: say, express, explain

Common phrases: put it to someone, put it to me

To give someone far more work or responsibility than they can comfortably handle.

• The boss really put it to us.
• They put it to her by assigning every difficult task to her.
• You are putting it to him with all these extra duties.

How to use it: put it to someone (The boss put it to us with three extra jobs.)

Similar words: overburden, overload

Common phrases: put it to someone, put it to workers

To say that someone or something is responsible for a problem.

• They put it to the manager.
• When the plan failed, the committee put it to its leader.
• Nobody accepted responsibility; they put it to bad luck instead.

How to use it: put it to someone/something (The team put it to poor management.)

Similar words: blame, attribute

Common phrases: put it to someone, put it to management

To treat someone unfairly to get their money or gain another advantage.

• That mechanic really put it to me.
• The dealer put it to her by charging twice the usual price.
• Do not let that dishonest seller put it to you.

How to use it: put it to someone (That dealer really put it to me on the price.)

Similar words: cheat, swindle, rip off

Common phrases: put it to someone, put it to customers