To put one through his paces is an idiomatic expression that refers to the act of subjecting someone to a rigorous test, examination, or evaluation in order to assess their abilities, skills, or performance. It conveys the idea of challenging someone to demonstrate their capabilities in a thorough and exhaustive manner.
The phrase often originates from the context of training, particularly in fields such as sports, military, or performance arts. When a person is put through their paces, they are expected to showcase their proficiency, endurance, adaptability, and overall competence. This can involve a series of exercises, drills, tasks, or assessments that are designed to thoroughly evaluate each aspect of their abilities.
The purpose of putting someone through their paces is to gauge their aptitude, identify areas of weakness or improvement, and determine their readiness for a particular role, responsibility, or challenge. It serves as a means of establishing a person's capability to meet the demands and expectations of a given situation.
Metaphorically speaking, this phrase can also be used figuratively outside the realm of formal training or evaluation. It may be employed to describe situations wherein someone is subjected to intense examination, interrogation, or scrutiny to determine their credibility, reliability, or worthiness.
In summary, "putting one through his paces" involves subjecting an individual to a comprehensive and demanding evaluation or assessment to ascertain their competence, skills, or suitability in a particular role or situation.
