Phrases & Expressions

Used to say that the real situation is worse or stronger than the words suggest.

• The situation was difficult, to put it mildly.
• He was annoyed, to put it mildly.

To give something a lower priority, so that it is not dealt with immediately.

• We had to put the expansion project on the back burner.
• His personal problems put his career on the back burner.

To risk something important, such as your reputation or job, in a situation where you might lose it.

• He put his career on the line to speak out.
• She put her reputation on the line for her friend.

To say something embarrassing or tactless, often by accident.

• I really put my foot in it when I asked about his ex-wife.
• He put his foot in it by mentioning the surprise party.

To bring something to an end, often by preventing it from continuing.

• The strike put paid to the company's expansion plans.
• The bad weather put paid to our picnic plans.

To claim that someone said or meant something that he or she did not say or mean.

• Don't put words in my mouth; that's not what I meant.
• He accused me of putting words in his mouth.

Preferring to have a lot of something rather than having things of good quality.

• During brainstorming, we practice quantity over quality.
• This approach focuses on quantity over quality.

Strong emotions and physical changes caused by hormones, especially in teenagers.

• Teenagers often struggle with raging hormones.
• His mood swings were due to raging hormones.

To spoil someone's pleasure or enthusiasm.

• Don't rain on my parade; I'm very excited about this.
• I don't want to rain on your parade, but the project might be delayed.

To set a higher level of quality or achievement.

• This new technology raises the bar for the industry.
• They always raise the bar with their performances.