ENGLISH
REFERENCE

put one past

idiom
Meaning

To deceive, trick, or fool (someone), especially by concealing something.


Origin

disputed origin

From put past with placeholder one.

Examples
SIMPLE

You cannot put anything past him.

CONTEXTUAL

He is very observant, so do not try to put anything past him.

COMPLEX

Given her sharp intellect and years of experience, her colleagues knew better than to attempt to put anything past her during the negotiations.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    as best one can

    In the best possible way, given one's circumstances and abilities.

  2. 02

    as far as one knows

    To the best of one's knowledge, as far as someone knows or possible information to be gathered about the topic, subject, aspect, or situation.

  3. 03

    back to square one

    Located back at the start, as after a dead end or failure.

  4. 04

    beat as one

    To share the same feelings.

  5. 05

    become one flesh

    To join together in marriage; to develop a unifying bond as a result of marrying.

  6. 06

    bite off more than one can chew

    To try to do too much; to take on or attempt more than one is capable of doing.

  7. 07

    bite the big one

    To perform poorly; to fail.

  8. 08

    bite the hand that feeds one

    To cause harm to a benefactor (especially one that one is dependent on, thus with the idea that this behaviour is self-damaging).

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