put-on

[ noun poot-on, -awn; adjective poot-on, -awn ]

noun

, Informal.

1. an act or instance of putting someone on.
2. a prank or pretense, especially one perpetrated or assumed in mock seriousness; hoax; spoof.
3. affected manner or behavior; pretentiousness.

adjective

1. assumed, feigned, pretended, or disguised:

   a put-on manner that didn't fool anyone.

put on

verb

1. to clothe oneself in

   to put on a coat

2. usually passive to adopt (an attitude or feeling) insincerely

   his misery was just put on

3. to present or stage (a play, show, etc)
4. to increase or add

   the batsman put on fifty runs before lunch

   she put on weight

5. to cause (an electrical device) to function
6. also preposition to wager (money) on a horse race, game, etc

   he put ten pounds on the favourite

7. also preposition to impose as a burden or levy

   to put a tax on cars

8. cricket to cause (a bowler) to bowl
9. put someone on
   1. to connect (a person) by telephone
   2. to mock or tease

noun

1. a hoax or piece of mockery
2. an affected manner or mode of behaviour

Word History and Origins

Origin of put-on¹

1855–60; adj., noun use of verb phrase put ( someone ) on

Example Sentences

A pay offer aimed at avoiding industrial action by unions has been put on the table by Health Minister Mike Nesbitt.

From BBC

Forty-four-year old Jason Leanders, who went on the camp that immediately followed Guide’s death, said he was beaten three to four times a day by Smyth, who would put his hands into his pants to check he had not put on extra layers to cushion his buttocks.

From BBC

But current contenders for the top slots include Sam Fender, who put on an incredible Pyramid Stage performance two years ago; and Olivia Rodrigo, who's already headlining the BST Festival in London on Glastonbury weekend.

From BBC

In London, there’s far more emphasis put on the food than anything else, I feel.

From Salon

Head coach Andy Farrell has welcomed the pressure last week's defeat by the All Blacks has put on Ireland and says some players are "lucky enough" to be given an immediate shot at redemption against Argentina.

From BBC