# put-up job

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/put-up-job
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

An attempt to trick, deceive, or con someone.

## Examples

- The whole contest was a put-up job to help his friend win.
- The police suspected the robbery was a put-up job because the back door was left wide open.
- The journalist exposed the scandal, proving that the entire public inquiry was merely a put-up job designed to protect the corrupt officials.

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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.