put-up

[ poot-uhp ]

adjective

, Informal.

1. planned beforehand in a secret or crafty manner:

   a put-up job.

put up

verb

1. to build; erect

   to put up a statue

2. to accommodate or be accommodated at

   can you put me up for tonight?

3. to increase (prices)
4. to submit or present (a plan, case, etc)
5. to offer

   to put a house up for sale

6. to provide or supply; give

   to put up a good fight

7. to provide (money) for; invest in

   they put up five thousand for the new project

8. to preserve or can (jam, etc)
9. to pile up (long hair) on the head in any of several styles
10. also intr to nominate or be nominated as a candidate, esp for a political or society post

    he put his wife up as secretary

    he put up for president

11. archaic.
    to return (a weapon) to its holder, as a sword to its sheath

    put up your pistol!

12. put up to
    1. to inform or instruct (a person) about (tasks, duties, etc)
    2. to urge or goad (a person) on to; incite to
13. put up with informal.
    to endure; tolerate

adjective

1. dishonestly or craftily prearranged or conceived (esp in the phrase put-up job )

Word History and Origins

Origin of put-up¹

First recorded in 1800–10; adj. use of verb phrase put up

Example Sentences

The routine was that a husband would be “caught” in a compromising position with some woman, either his actual girlfriend or a woman who’d been paid to go along with the put-up job.

From Los Angeles Times

The 2022 season may be pivotal for the Commanders: a new quarterback era, the owner still being investigated by Congress, the coach looking at a put-up or shut-up season.

From Washington Times

I don’t trust Russia, which invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, and so I immediately guessed that each of these cases was some sort of anti-American put-up job.

From Washington Post

“This is not quite a put-up job, but nonetheless has been cobbled together so that Ghislaine is made to face the charges that Epstein never faced,’’ Ian Maxwell said.

From Washington Times

Takeover Panel extends CD&R's "put-up or shut-up" deadline until Aug. 20.

From Reuters

Related Words

• construct
• raise