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Phrase Meanings » put on
What does "put on" mean?
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Clothe oneself with, as in I put on my socks. [Mid-1400s]
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Apply, activate, as in He put on the brakes. [Mid-1700s]
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Assume affectedly, pretend to, as in He put on a British accent. This idiom is sometimes put as put it on, as in He's not really asleep; he's putting it on. [Late 1600s; late 1800s]
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put someone on. Tease or mislead another, as in I don't believe you! You're putting me on. [Slang; mid-1900s]
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Add to, gain, as in Please put this on our bill, or I've put on some weight.
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Cause to be performed, produce, as in I hear they're putting on Shakespeare this summer. [Late 1800s]
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