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put in

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put someone in(side) (something)

to place or insert someone inside something. The sheriff put Roger inside the cell and locked the door. He opened the cell door and put Roger in.

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put something in

to submit something, such as an order, request, or demand. In fact, I put the order in some time ago. I put in a request for a new monitor.

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put something in(side someone or something)

to place or insert something inside someone or something. The surgeon put a tube inside Chuck and left it there to drain fluid. While you have the closet door open, will you put this in?

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put in something

also put something in

to give something Mary put in a lot of effort on this job. Why did you put so much of your own money in?

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put in

1. Make a formal offer of, as in a court of law. For example, He put in a plea of not guilty. [Mid-1400s]

2. Interpose, interject; see put in a good word; put one's oar in.

3. Spend time at a location or job, as in He put in three years at hard labor, or She put in eight hours a day at her desk. [Mid-1800s]

4. Plant, as in We put in thirty new trees. [Early 1800s]

5. Enter a port or harbor, as in The yacht will put in here for the night. [Early 1600s]

6. put in for. Request or apply for something, as in I put in for a raise, or John put in for department supervisor. [c. 1600]

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put in

v.

1. To place someone or something on the inside of or within something: Put the key in the ignition and start the car. Let me put these flowers in water. The recipe says to put in two cups of sugar. They put them in jail for robbery.

2. To set something into some state or position: She put the car in first gear and drove away. During the summer, I usually put my hair in a ponytail.

3. To make a formal offer of something: The defendant put in a plea of not guilty. I put an offer in on the house.

4. To introduce some information, as in a conversation: Will you put in a good word for me at the next meeting?

5. To spend or expend something at some task: I put in eight hours at the office. You should put more effort in this project. The actor put in a strong performance.

6. To plant or build something, especially on the ground: We put in 20 rows of pine trees. They tore the shed down and put a pool in.

7. To install something: We put in a new washing machine. The electrician put a new outlet in.

8. To enter a port or harbor. Used of sailing vessels: The freighter put in at San Diego to refuel.

9. put in for To apply for something: I put in for a pay raise, but I doubt I'll get it.

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