# put someone in their place

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/put-someone-in-their-place
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To remind someone of their position.

## Examples

- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.