put it past
To consider it not possible for (someone) (to do something).
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I would not put it past him to lie.”
“He is very competitive, so I would not put it past him to cheat to win the game.”
“Given her history of unpredictable behavior, I would not put it past her to resign without any warning at all.”
From put past with placeholder it.
- 01
blast from the past
Something or someone that a person has not seen for a long time that evokes nostalgic feelings.
- 02
ghost from one's past
Something unpleasant from one's past that "haunts" them (makes them feel uneasy) to the present day.
- 03
lipstick on a pig
To make superficial or cosmetic changes to something in a doomed attempt to disguise its fundamental flaws.
- 04
live in the past
To dwell on and ruminate about past events.
- 05
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.
- 06
pea-time is past
Something is ruined or gone beyond recall.
- 07
put a band-aid on a bullet wound
To inadequately treat a serious situation.
- 08
put a blanket over
Make (something) seem less serious.
Last updated August 10, 2026