put someone in their place
To remind someone of their position.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“He was rude, so she put him in his place.”
“When the new employee started acting like the boss, the manager quickly put him in his place.”
“The veteran actor felt insulted by the director's arrogance and decided it was time to put him in his place with a sharp, public correction.”
- 01
as if someone owns the place
Alternative form of like someone owns the place.
- 02
beat someone round the ears
To beat (a person) with blows about the head.
- 03
better place
Heaven; happiness after death.
- 04
bless someone with
To give or bestow, as a gift from God.
- 05
bring someone to their knees
To defeat and make submit to orders.
- 06
call someone every name in the book
To call someone many abusive names.
- 07
call someone everything but a child of God
To call someone many abusive names.
- 08
catch someone napping
To take advantage of someone's inattention.
Last updated August 10, 2026