ENGLISH
REFERENCE

put it past

idiom
Meaning

To consider it not possible for (someone) (to do something).


Origin

disputed origin

From put past with placeholder it.

Examples
SIMPLE

I would not put it past him to lie.

CONTEXTUAL

He is very competitive, so I would not put it past him to cheat to win the game.

COMPLEX

Given her history of unpredictable behavior, I would not put it past her to resign without any warning at all.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    blast from the past

    Something or someone that a person has not seen for a long time that evokes nostalgic feelings.

  2. 02

    ghost from one's past

    Something unpleasant from one's past that "haunts" them (makes them feel uneasy) to the present day.

  3. 03

    live in the past

    To dwell on and ruminate about past events.

  4. 04

    not to put too fine a point on it

    Used to apologize for a possibly impolite statement one is making; to put it bluntly; to express it in plain terms.

  5. 05

    pea-time is past

    Something is ruined or gone beyond recall.

  6. 06

    put a band-aid on a bullet wound

    To inadequately treat a serious situation.

  7. 07

    put a blanket over

    Make (something) seem less serious.

  8. 08

    put a bug in someone's ear

    To make a small suggestion or give a hint that causes the listener to act.

© 2026 English Reference