put pen to paper
To write something (especially using pen and ink).
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I need to put pen to paper and write this letter.”
“After months of thinking about his novel, he finally put pen to paper to start the first chapter.”
“The author felt a sense of relief once she finally put pen to paper, allowing the long-held ideas to flow onto the page.”
- 01
death by a thousand paper cuts
An ultimate negative outcome, such as the failure of a project, brought about by an excessive number of bureaucratic hurdles.
- 02
lipstick on a pig
To make superficial or cosmetic changes to something in a doomed attempt to disguise its fundamental flaws.
- 03
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.
- 04
paper tiger
Something or someone that appears powerful, strong or threatening but is in reality weak, ineffective, or unable to withstand challenge.
- 05
paper trail
A written record, history, or collection of evidence.
- 06
pen picture
A written description, often biographical.
- 07
poison pen
A manner, means, or tone of expression had by a written work, characterized by spitefulness, defamation, and/or intimidation directed toward a person, organization, or point of view.
- 08
put a band-aid on a bullet wound
To inadequately treat a serious situation.
Last updated August 10, 2026