The idiom "put in place" has two primary meanings. The first one is to arrange or organize something appropriately or desired. The second one is to scold, criticize, or humiliate someone who has behaved badly or arrogantly.

In short:

• "Put in place" means to arrange something or to reprimand someone.

What Does "Put in Place" Mean?

The expression "put in place" can have two different meanings. One is to set up or organize something in a proper or desired way. The other is to rebuke, criticize, or shame someone who has poorly acted or arrogantly.

Where Does "Put in Place" Come From?

The origin of the idiom "put in place" is not very clear, but it may have developed from the literal sense of putting something in a specific location or order. Through the years, it developed into the symbolic meaning of scolding or humiliating someone and putting them lower than themselves to make them feel inferior.

10 Examples of "Put in Place" in Sentences

Here are some examples of how to use this idiom in different sentences:

• No diggity. He put him in his place by beating him at chess.
• Yes, please. Put in place a backup plan in case the main one fails.
• Oh, snap. The judge put her in her place and gave her a harsh sentence.
• Real talk: We need to put in place a new security system to protect our data.
• Yaas! She put him in his place when he tried to mansplain her research to her.
• Quite frankly, we should put in place measures to reduce energy consumption.
• No mean feat. But it's essential to put in place clear guidelines for employee conduct.
• The team buckled down and worked hard to put in place an effective marketing strategy.
• He felt put in his place when his boss criticized his work in front of everyone. That's too bad.
• Way to go. The government has put in place new measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

Examples of "Put in Place" in Pop Culture

Here are some examples of how this idiom has been used in various forms of pop culture:

• In the movie The Devil Wears Prada (2006), Miranda Priestly (played by Meryl Streep) is a powerful and ruthless fashion editor who often puts her employees and rivals in their places with sarcastic and cutting remarks.
• In the TV show Game of Thrones (2011-2019), Daenerys Targaryen (played by Emilia Clarke) is a queen who wants to reclaim her throne and free the oppressed people. Her fiery speeches and actions often put her enemies and allies in their places.
• In the book Pride and Prejudice (1813) by Jane Austen, Elizabeth Bennet (the main character) is a witty and independent woman who often puts Mr. Darcy and other snobbish people in their places with her sharp and clever responses.
• In the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes (1985-1995) by Bill Watterson, Calvin (a six-year-old boy) and Hobbes (his stuffed tiger) are best friends who often put each other in their places with their playful and humorous banter.

Other Ways to Say "Put in Place"

Here are some synonyms for both meanings of this idiom:

• Set up
• Prepare
• Establish
• Introduce
• Implement
• Berate
• Rebuke
• Lecture
• Chastise
• Reprimand

10 Frequently Asked Questions About "Put in Place"

Here are some frequently asked questions about this idiom:

• What does "put in place" mean?

The idiom "put in place" has two primary meanings. The first one is to arrange or organize something appropriately or desired. The second one is to scold, criticize, or humiliate someone who has behaved badly or arrogantly.

• What is the origin of the phrase "put in place"?

The origin of the idiom "put in place" is not very clear, but it may have developed from the literal sense of putting something in a specific location or order. Through the years, it developed into the symbolic meaning of scolding or humiliating someone and putting them lower than themselves to make them feel inferior.

• Is "put in place" formal or informal?

The idiom "put in place" can be used in formal and informal situations. However, the speaker's tone and intention may affect how polite or rude it sounds. For example, putting a plan in place is a neutral and formal way to arrange a schedule. Putting someone in their place is a negative and informal way to scold someone.

• What is the difference between "put in place" and "put into place"?
  

There is no significant difference between "put in place" and "put into place." They both mean to arrange or organize something. However, some people may prefer "put into place" to emphasize the action or the process of putting something somewhere. For example, to put the books into place means to move the books to a specific location.

• What is the opposite of "put in place"?

The opposite of "put in place" may vary depending on the meaning and the context. For example, the opposite of putting something in place could be taking something out of business, removing something from home, or messing something up. The opposite of putting someone in their position could be praising, complimenting, or boosting someone’s ego.

• How do you use "put in place" in a question?

To use "put in place" in a question, you can follow the same grammar rules as any other verb phrase.

• Can you use "put in place" with other prepositions?

Yes, you can use "put in place" with other prepositions to modify or specify the meaning.

• What are some idioms similar to "put in place"?

Some idioms similar to "put in place" are "to put one's house in order," "to put the cart before the horse," "to put one's foot down," and "to put one's money where one's mouth is."

• How do you pronounce "put in place"?

The pronunciation of "put in place" may vary depending on the accent and the dialect of the speaker. However, a common way to pronounce it is /pʊt ɪn pleɪs/, where /pʊt/ rhymes with "foot", /ɪn/ sounds like "in," and /pleɪs/ rhymes with "face."

• What are some antonyms for "put in place"?

Some antonyms for "put in place" are "to take something out of place," "to mess something up," "to praise someone," "to compliment someone," and "to boost someone's ego."

Final Thoughts About "Put in Place"

The idiom "put in place" is a versatile and valuable expression with different meanings depending on the context and the tone.

Here are some key points to remember about this idiom:

• It can mean to arrange or organize something or to scold or humiliate someone.
• It can be used in both formal and informal situations.
• It can be modified by other prepositions to change or specify the meaning.
• It has many synonyms and antonyms that can be used instead of it.