ENGLISH
REFERENCE

put up with

phrasal verb.
Definition

phrasal verb. to accept an annoying person or situation without complaining.

phrasal verb. to tolerate something or someone unpleasant without protest; transitive phrasal verb.


SIMPLE

I can't put up with this noise anymore.

CONTEXTUAL

She puts up with her roommate's messy habits because the rent is cheap.

COMPLEX

Having put up with years of bureaucratic delays, the villagers finally built the well themselves.

Origin

From put up + with.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Particles
up with
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
put + up + with + object
Usage

object always follows the full phrasal verb; never split 'put up with'.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'tolerate' (more formal) and 'stand' (often in negative: 'can't stand'); 'put up with' is neutral and everyday.

Pitfall

I can't put her up with.I can't put up with her.the object must come after the complete phrasal verb; particles stay together.

Last updated April 24, 2026